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1987

District of Columbia · year

District of Columbia in 1987

Deaths 53Fatal crashes 51Per 100,000 —US deaths 46,390

FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 1987.

In 1987, 53 people died in 51 fatal crashes in District of Columbia.

The death toll rose 20% from 44 in 1986 to 53 in 1987.

District of Columbia accounted for 0.1% of the 46,390 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

25.5% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

41% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Thursday was the most common day.

Compared with 1986 and the nation

MeasureDistrict of Columbia 1987District of Columbia 1986United States 1987
Deaths534446,390
Fatal crashes514441,438
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver25%25%42%

Counties in 1987

Every county with a fatal crash in 1987, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 1 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
District of Columbia51537.5335

Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.

Hour of day

12am2%
1am2%
2am7.8%
3am3.9%
4am2%
5am5.9%
6am2%
7am5.9%
8am2%
9am0%
10am3.9%
11am2%
12pm5.9%
1pm3.9%
2pm2%
3pm2%
4pm3.9%
5pm2%
6pm5.9%
7pm5.9%
8pm7.8%
9pm7.8%
10pm7.8%
11pm5.9%

Weekday

Sunday10%
Monday10%
Tuesday14%
Wednesday16%
Thursday24%
Friday10%
Saturday18%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in District of Columbia in 1987?

53 people in 51 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1987 file.

Which county in District of Columbia had the most crash deaths in 1987?

District of Columbia with 53 deaths in 51 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1987 compare with 1986 in District of Columbia?

53 deaths against 44 in 1986 (+20%). Nationally the 1987 total was 46,390.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1987 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.