States › Massachusetts › 1987
Massachusetts in 1987
Deaths 689Fatal crashes 642Per 100,000 —US deaths 46,390
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 1987.
In 1987, 689 people died in 642 fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
The death toll fell 8% from 752 in 1986 to 689 in 1987.
Massachusetts accounted for 1.5% of the 46,390 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
38% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
35% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Friday was the most common day.
Compared with 1986 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 1987 | Massachusetts 1986 | United States 1987 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 689 | 752 | 46,390 |
| Fatal crashes | 642 | 680 | 41,438 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 38% | 38% | 42% |
Counties in 1987
Every county with a fatal crash in 1987, 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 | 122 | 127 | 7.6 | 513 |
| Worcester County | 91 | 98 | 11.1 | 533 |
| Norfolk County | 69 | 77 | 10.4 | 368 |
| Essex County | 58 | 68 | 8.3 | 332 |
| Plymouth County | 58 | 64 | 11.8 | 370 |
| Bristol County | 58 | 59 | 10.0 | 429 |
| Hampden County | 49 | 51 | 11.0 | 418 |
| Suffolk County | 40 | 43 | 5.4 | 271 |
| Hampshire County | 29 | 33 | 20.0 | 84 |
| Barnstable County | 24 | 25 | 10.7 | 138 |
| Berkshire County | 22 | 22 | 17.1 | 122 |
| Franklin County | 16 | 16 | 22.6 | 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 1987?
689 people in 642 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1987 file.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 1987?
Middlesex County with 127 deaths in 122 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1987 compare with 1986 in Massachusetts?
689 deaths against 752 in 1986 (+-8%). Nationally the 1987 total was 46,390.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1987 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.