States › Massachusetts › 1990
Massachusetts in 1990
Deaths 605Fatal crashes 546Per 100,000 —US deaths 44,599
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 1990.
In 1990, 605 people died in 546 fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
The death toll fell 13% from 696 in 1989 to 605 in 1990.
Massachusetts accounted for 1.4% of the 44,599 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
36.3% 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 1989 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 1990 | Massachusetts 1989 | United States 1990 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 605 | 696 | 44,599 |
| Fatal crashes | 546 | 634 | 39,836 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 36% | 42% | 40% |
Counties in 1990
Every county with a fatal crash in 1990, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 12 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex County | 96 | 109 | 6.5 | 513 |
| Worcester County | 85 | 91 | 10.3 | 533 |
| Bristol County | 57 | 64 | 10.9 | 429 |
| Essex County | 49 | 59 | 7.2 | 332 |
| Norfolk County | 52 | 55 | 7.4 | 368 |
| Plymouth County | 49 | 54 | 10.0 | 370 |
| Hampden County | 47 | 53 | 11.4 | 418 |
| Suffolk County | 46 | 49 | 6.2 | 271 |
| Barnstable County | 28 | 32 | 13.8 | 138 |
| Berkshire County | 18 | 20 | 15.5 | 122 |
| Hampshire County | 10 | 10 | 6.0 | 84 |
| Franklin County | 9 | 9 | 12.7 | 71 |
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 1990?
605 people in 546 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1990 file.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 1990?
Middlesex County with 109 deaths in 96 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1990 compare with 1989 in Massachusetts?
605 deaths against 696 in 1989 (+-13%). Nationally the 1990 total was 44,599.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1990 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.