Idaho in 1979
Deaths 333Fatal crashes 285Per 100,000 —US deaths 51,093
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 1979.
In 1979, 333 people died in 285 fatal crashes in Idaho.
The death toll was about level between 1978 (327) and 1979 (333).
Idaho accounted for 0.7% of the 51,093 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
45.6% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
33% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Friday was the most common day.
Compared with 1978 and the nation
| Measure | Idaho 1979 | Idaho 1978 | United States 1979 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 333 | 327 | 51,093 |
| Fatal crashes | 285 | 277 | 45,223 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 46% | 45% | 39% |
Counties in 1979
Every county with a fatal crash in 1979, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 42 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada County | 33 | 43 | 8.0 | 259 |
| Kootenai County | 19 | 23 | 12.2 | 154 |
| Twin Falls County | 18 | 23 | 23.8 | 112 |
| Nez Perce County | 14 | 20 | 46.7 | 73 |
| Bonneville County | 19 | 19 | 14.2 | 132 |
| Bannock County | 14 | 18 | 19.8 | 99 |
| Canyon County | 15 | 17 | 6.4 | 246 |
| Idaho County | 11 | 14 | 78.2 | 82 |
| Power County | 10 | 11 | 131.2 | 18 |
| Cassia County | 8 | 9 | 34.6 | 71 |
| Bingham County | 8 | 8 | 15.7 | 99 |
| Bonner County | 8 | 8 | 14.8 | 88 |
| Lemhi County | 6 | 8 | 95.3 | 21 |
| Shoshone County | 7 | 7 | 49.7 | 37 |
| Elmore County | 6 | 7 | 23.5 | 90 |
| Minidoka County | 6 | 7 | 30.8 | 37 |
| Valley County | 6 | 7 | 54.8 | 33 |
| Blaine County | 5 | 7 | 27.7 | 37 |
| Boise County | 6 | 6 | 69.9 | 60 |
| Gooding County | 6 | 6 | 37.1 | 46 |
| Clearwater County | 5 | 6 | 65.6 | 18 |
| Payette County | 5 | 6 | 21.7 | 50 |
| Benewah County | 5 | 5 | 47.5 | 18 |
| Madison County | 5 | 5 | 9.0 | 24 |
| Jefferson County | 4 | 5 | 14.3 | 35 |
| Jerome County | 4 | 4 | 15.4 | 100 |
| Latah County | 3 | 4 | 9.5 | 26 |
| Adams County | 3 | 3 | 60.0 | 23 |
| Caribou County | 3 | 3 | 41.4 | 16 |
| Custer County | 3 | 3 | 65.3 | 21 |
| Clark County | 1–2 | 3 | 377.8 | 11 |
| Boundary County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| Butte County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Fremont County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
| Lewis County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Owyhee County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 28 |
| Teton County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 16 |
| Washington County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 21 |
| Bear Lake County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Camas County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Franklin County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 22 |
| Gem County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 28 |
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
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Idaho in 1979?
333 people in 285 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1979 file.
Which county in Idaho had the most crash deaths in 1979?
Ada County with 43 deaths in 33 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1979 compare with 1978 in Idaho?
333 deaths against 327 in 1978 (+2%). Nationally the 1979 total was 51,093.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1979 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.