States › Massachusetts › 1982
Massachusetts in 1982
Deaths 659Fatal crashes 615Per 100,000 —US deaths 43,945
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 1982.
In 1982, 659 people died in 615 fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
The death toll fell 12% from 746 in 1981 to 659 in 1982.
Massachusetts accounted for 1.5% of the 43,945 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
29.6% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
34% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Sunday was the most common day.
Compared with 1981 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 1982 | Massachusetts 1981 | United States 1982 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 659 | 746 | 43,945 |
| Fatal crashes | 615 | 682 | 39,092 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 30% | 42% | 41% |
Counties in 1982
Every county with a fatal crash in 1982, 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 | 120 | 125 | 7.5 | 513 |
| Worcester County | 82 | 88 | 10.0 | 533 |
| Essex County | 67 | 71 | 8.6 | 332 |
| Hampden County | 61 | 63 | 13.6 | 418 |
| Plymouth County | 56 | 60 | 11.1 | 370 |
| Bristol County | 55 | 60 | 10.2 | 429 |
| Norfolk County | 52 | 57 | 7.7 | 368 |
| Suffolk County | 46 | 54 | 6.8 | 271 |
| Barnstable County | 23 | 25 | 10.7 | 138 |
| Hampshire County | 17 | 19 | 11.5 | 84 |
| Berkshire County | 15 | 15 | 11.7 | 122 |
| Franklin County | 13 | 14 | 19.8 | 71 |
| Dukes County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 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 1982?
659 people in 615 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1982 file.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 1982?
Middlesex County with 125 deaths in 120 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1982 compare with 1981 in Massachusetts?
659 deaths against 746 in 1981 (+-12%). Nationally the 1982 total was 43,945.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1982 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.