States › Massachusetts › 1989
Massachusetts in 1989
Deaths 696Fatal crashes 634Per 100,000 —US deaths 45,582
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 1989.
In 1989, 696 people died in 634 fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
The death toll was about level between 1988 (725) and 1989 (696).
Massachusetts accounted for 1.5% of the 45,582 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
41.6% 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; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1988 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 1989 | Massachusetts 1988 | United States 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 696 | 725 | 45,582 |
| Fatal crashes | 634 | 673 | 40,741 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 42% | 39% | 39% |
Counties in 1989
Every county with a fatal crash in 1989, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 13 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | 105 | 111 | 6.7 | 513 |
| Worcester County | 73 | 88 | 10.0 | 533 |
| Bristol County | 78 | 87 | 14.8 | 429 |
| Essex County | 59 | 67 | 8.1 | 332 |
| Suffolk County | 57 | 62 | 7.8 | 271 |
| Norfolk County | 54 | 59 | 8.0 | 368 |
| Hampden County | 54 | 58 | 12.5 | 418 |
| Plymouth County | 53 | 56 | 10.3 | 370 |
| Barnstable County | 35 | 39 | 16.8 | 138 |
| Berkshire County | 31 | 33 | 25.6 | 122 |
| Hampshire County | 24 | 25 | 15.1 | 84 |
| Franklin County | 9 | 9 | 12.7 | 71 |
| Dukes County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 10 |
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 1989?
696 people in 634 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1989 file.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 1989?
Middlesex County with 111 deaths in 105 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1989 compare with 1988 in Massachusetts?
696 deaths against 725 in 1988 (+-4%). Nationally the 1989 total was 45,582.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1989 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.