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1985

Maine · year

Maine in 1985

Deaths 206Fatal crashes 189Per 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, 206 people died in 189 fatal crashes in Maine.

The death toll fell 11% from 232 in 1984 to 206 in 1985.

Maine accounted for 0.5% of the 43,825 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

48.7% 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; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1984 and the nation

MeasureMaine 1985Maine 1984United States 1985
Deaths20623243,825
Fatal crashes18921139,196
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver49%51%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. 16 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Cumberland County29309.6212
Penobscot County263019.1187
York County272913.2210
Kennebec County182116.3155
Oxford County151830.0101
Aroostook County141522.585
Androscoggin County11119.5118
Waldo County91127.168
Hancock County9915.8108
Franklin County6722.746
Somerset County6611.797
Washington County6619.158
Piscataquis County5528.728
Knox County337.344
Sagadahoc County338.032
Lincoln County1–21–2—44

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

12am5.3%
1am5.9%
2am3.7%
3am3.7%
4am2.7%
5am0%
6am3.7%
7am2.7%
8am1.1%
9am1.6%
10am3.2%
11am2.7%
12pm1.6%
1pm5.3%
2pm7%
3pm4.3%
4pm7.5%
5pm5.3%
6pm5.9%
7pm7%
8pm4.3%
9pm5.9%
10pm5.3%
11pm4.3%

Weekday

Sunday14%
Monday10%
Tuesday14%
Wednesday8%
Thursday13%
Friday20%
Saturday21%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Maine in 1985?

206 people in 189 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1985 file.

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

Cumberland County with 30 deaths in 29 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1985 compare with 1984 in Maine?

206 deaths against 232 in 1984 (+-11%). 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.