States › Massachusetts › 1998
Massachusetts in 1998
Deaths 406Fatal crashes 377Per 100,000 —US deaths 41,501
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 1998.
In 1998, 406 people died in 377 fatal crashes in Massachusetts.
The death toll fell 8% from 441 in 1997 to 406 in 1998.
Massachusetts accounted for 1% of the 41,501 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
29.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
32% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Wednesday was the most common day.
Compared with 1997 and the nation
| Measure | Massachusetts 1998 | Massachusetts 1997 | United States 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 406 | 441 | 41,501 |
| Fatal crashes | 377 | 415 | 37,107 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 29% | 32% | 30% |
Counties in 1998
Every county with a fatal crash in 1998, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester County | 60 | 64 | 7.3 | 533 |
| Middlesex County | 53 | 55 | 3.3 | 513 |
| Plymouth County | 47 | 53 | 9.8 | 370 |
| Bristol County | 44 | 47 | 8.0 | 429 |
| Essex County | 35 | 38 | 4.6 | 332 |
| Suffolk County | 34 | 37 | 4.7 | 271 |
| Norfolk County | 26 | 28 | 3.8 | 368 |
| Hampden County | 24 | 26 | 5.6 | 418 |
| Barnstable County | 20 | 22 | 9.5 | 138 |
| Berkshire County | 15 | 17 | 13.2 | 122 |
| Hampshire County | 10 | 10 | 6.0 | 84 |
| Franklin County | 6 | 6 | 8.5 | 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 1998?
406 people in 377 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1998 file.
Which county in Massachusetts had the most crash deaths in 1998?
Worcester County with 64 deaths in 60 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1998 compare with 1997 in Massachusetts?
406 deaths against 441 in 1997 (+-8%). Nationally the 1998 total was 41,501.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1998 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.