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1985

Idaho · year

Idaho in 1985

Deaths 255Fatal crashes 218Per 100,000 —US deaths 43,825

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 1985.

In 1985, 255 people died in 218 fatal crashes in Idaho.

The death toll rose 5% from 242 in 1984 to 255 in 1985.

Idaho accounted for 0.6% of the 43,825 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

45% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

32% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1984 and the nation

MeasureIdaho 1985Idaho 1984United States 1985
Deaths25524243,825
Fatal crashes21821539,196
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver45%37%40%

Counties in 1985

Every county with a fatal crash in 1985, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 44 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Ada County22275.0259
Canyon County18207.5246
Twin Falls County91616.6112
Idaho County121372.682
Bannock County111213.299
Kootenai County10126.4154
Bonneville County9129.0132
Elmore County81033.690
Bingham County6917.799
Jerome County6726.9100
Nez Perce County6614.073
Blaine County5623.837
Bonner County5611.188
Shoshone County5642.637
Gooding County4637.146
Lemhi County5559.521
Oneida County55100.513
Power County5559.718
Custer County45108.821
Bear Lake County4459.011
Cassia County4415.471
Clark County44503.811
Franklin County4425.622
Fremont County4427.837
Lincoln County4472.031
Washington County4434.721
Madison County347.224
Minidoka County3417.637
Adams County3360.023
Boise County3335.060
Jefferson County338.635
Valley County1–2323.533
Boundary County1–21–2—15
Caribou County1–21–2—16
Latah County1–21–2—26
Lewis County1–21–2—11
Payette County1–21–2—50
Teton County1–21–2—16
Gem County1–21–2—28
Benewah County1–21–2—18
Butte County1–21–2—14
Camas County1–21–2—4
Clearwater County1–21–2—18
Owyhee County1–21–2—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

12am8.3%
1am5.1%
2am4.6%
3am3.7%
4am2.3%
5am1.4%
6am2.8%
7am2.8%
8am2.3%
9am1.9%
10am2.3%
11am2.8%
12pm4.6%
1pm5.1%
2pm2.3%
3pm6.5%
4pm5.1%
5pm4.2%
6pm6.9%
7pm5.6%
8pm6.5%
9pm4.6%
10pm4.2%
11pm4.2%

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday13%
Tuesday13%
Wednesday11%
Thursday9%
Friday16%
Saturday22%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Idaho in 1985?

255 people in 218 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1985 file.

Which county in Idaho had the most crash deaths in 1985?

Ada County with 27 deaths in 22 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1985 compare with 1984 in Idaho?

255 deaths against 242 in 1984 (+5%). Nationally the 1985 total was 43,825.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1985 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.