States › Massachusetts › 1979
Massachusetts in 1979
Deaths 917Fatal crashes 855Per 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, 917 people died in 855 fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
The death toll rose 7% from 861 in 1978 to 917 in 1979.
Massachusetts accounted for 1.8% of the 51,093 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
40% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
39% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1978 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 1979 | Massachusetts 1978 | United States 1979 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 917 | 861 | 51,093 |
| Fatal crashes | 855 | 791 | 45,223 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 40% | 37% | 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. 14 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | 173 | 183 | 11.0 | 513 |
| Worcester County | 125 | 134 | 15.2 | 533 |
| Norfolk County | 86 | 94 | 12.7 | 368 |
| Essex County | 85 | 90 | 10.9 | 332 |
| Hampden County | 70 | 75 | 16.2 | 418 |
| Suffolk County | 69 | 72 | 9.1 | 271 |
| Plymouth County | 64 | 71 | 13.1 | 370 |
| Bristol County | 56 | 63 | 10.7 | 429 |
| Barnstable County | 44 | 46 | 19.8 | 138 |
| Hampshire County | 28 | 31 | 18.7 | 84 |
| Berkshire County | 25 | 27 | 21.0 | 122 |
| Franklin County | 25 | 26 | 36.7 | 71 |
| Dukes County | 4 | 4 | 19.0 | 10 |
| Nantucket County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
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 Massachusetts in 1979?
917 people in 855 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1979 file.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 1979?
Middlesex County with 183 deaths in 173 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1979 compare with 1978 in Massachusetts?
917 deaths against 861 in 1978 (+7%). 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.