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 1997.
In 1997, 2,785 people died in 2,528 fatal crashes in Florida.
The death toll was about level between 1996 (2,753) and 1997 (2,785).
Florida accounted for 6.6% of the 42,013 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
21.8% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
34% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Every county with a fatal crash in 1997, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 66 counties listed.
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
12am4.1%
1am4.2%
2am3.6%
3am2.9%
4am2.8%
5am2.3%
6am4.1%
7am3.7%
8am2.6%
9am2.9%
10am3%
11am3.1%
12pm3.9%
1pm4.3%
2pm4.6%
3pm5.4%
4pm4.7%
5pm4.2%
6pm6.4%
7pm6%
8pm5.5%
9pm6.1%
10pm5.4%
11pm4.3%
Weekday
Sunday15%
Monday12%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday14%
Thursday12%
Friday16%
Saturday18%
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Florida in 1997?
2,785 people in 2,528 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1997 file.
Which county in Florida had the most crash deaths in 1997?
Miami-Dade County with 306 deaths in 277 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1997 compare with 1996 in Florida?
2,785 deaths against 2,753 in 1996 (+1%). Nationally the 1997 total was 42,013.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1997 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.