States › Massachusetts › 1996
Massachusetts in 1996
Deaths 417Fatal crashes 392Per 100,000 —US deaths 42,065
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 1996.
In 1996, 417 people died in 392 fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
The death toll fell 6% from 444 in 1995 to 417 in 1996.
Massachusetts accounted for 1% of the 42,065 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
31.6% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
34% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1995 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 1996 | Massachusetts 1995 | United States 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 417 | 444 | 42,065 |
| Fatal crashes | 392 | 418 | 37,494 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 32% | 33% | 32% |
Counties in 1996
Every county with a fatal crash in 1996, 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 | 63 | 66 | 4.0 | 513 |
| Worcester County | 58 | 66 | 7.5 | 533 |
| Bristol County | 41 | 46 | 7.8 | 429 |
| Essex County | 42 | 42 | 5.1 | 332 |
| Hampden County | 36 | 39 | 8.4 | 418 |
| Plymouth County | 33 | 35 | 6.5 | 370 |
| Norfolk County | 30 | 30 | 4.0 | 368 |
| Suffolk County | 26 | 26 | 3.3 | 271 |
| Barnstable County | 20 | 22 | 9.5 | 138 |
| Berkshire County | 17 | 17 | 13.2 | 122 |
| Hampshire County | 14 | 15 | 9.1 | 84 |
| Franklin County | 10 | 11 | 15.5 | 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 1996?
417 people in 392 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1996 file.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 1996?
Middlesex County with 66 deaths in 63 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1996 compare with 1995 in Massachusetts?
417 deaths against 444 in 1995 (+-6%). Nationally the 1996 total was 42,065.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1996 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.