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1997

Idaho · year

Idaho in 1997

Deaths 259Fatal crashes 220Per 100,000 —US deaths 42,013

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, 259 people died in 220 fatal crashes in Idaho.

The death toll was about level between 1996 (258) and 1997 (259).

Idaho accounted for 0.6% of the 42,013 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

34.1% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

35% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1996 and the nation

MeasureIdaho 1997Idaho 1996United States 1997
Deaths25925842,013
Fatal crashes22022837,324
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver34%33%30%

Counties in 1997

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. 43 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Ada County23275.0259
Kootenai County172211.7154
Elmore County91653.890
Canyon County14155.6246
Idaho County101478.282
Bonneville County11129.0132
Cassia County81142.371
Bear Lake County611162.311
Oneida County88160.813
Twin Falls County888.3112
Bonner County6814.888
Franklin County6851.222
Custer County77152.321
Bannock County666.699
Nez Perce County6614.073
Boise County5558.360
Jerome County5519.2100
Power County5559.718
Adams County45100.023
Fremont County4534.737
Lincoln County4590.031
Bingham County447.999
Payette County4414.550
Benewah County3328.518
Clark County33377.811
Lewis County3380.511
Madison County335.424
Owyhee County3323.528
Butte County1–23109.714
Minidoka County1–2313.237
Blaine County1–21–2—37
Boundary County1–21–2—15
Clearwater County1–21–2—18
Gem County1–21–2—28
Gooding County1–21–2—46
Jefferson County1–21–2—35
Latah County1–21–2—26
Shoshone County1–21–2—37
Camas County1–21–2—4
Lemhi County1–21–2—21
Teton County1–21–2—16
Valley County1–21–2—33
Washington County1–21–2—21

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

12am1.9%
1am6%
2am5.1%
3am1.9%
4am1.4%
5am0.9%
6am2.3%
7am1.4%
8am3.7%
9am4.2%
10am3.3%
11am2.3%
12pm4.7%
1pm5.1%
2pm3.7%
3pm7.4%
4pm8.8%
5pm5.1%
6pm3.7%
7pm5.6%
8pm3.3%
9pm7.4%
10pm6%
11pm4.7%

Weekday

Sunday15%
Monday12%
Tuesday9%
Wednesday15%
Thursday13%
Friday18%
Saturday19%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Idaho in 1997?

259 people in 220 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1997 file.

Which county in Idaho had the most crash deaths in 1997?

Ada County with 27 deaths in 23 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1997 compare with 1996 in Idaho?

259 deaths against 258 in 1996 (0%). 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.