States › New Mexico › 1978
New Mexico in 1978
Deaths 669Fatal crashes 588Per 100,000 —US deaths 50,331
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 1978.
In 1978, 669 people died in 588 fatal crashes in New Mexico.
The death toll was about level between 1977 (668) and 1978 (669).
New Mexico accounted for 1.3% of the 50,331 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
34.5% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
36% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1977 and the nation
| Measure | New Mexico 1978 | New Mexico 1977 | United States 1978 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 669 | 668 | 50,331 |
| Fatal crashes | 588 | 567 | 44,433 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 35% | 34% | 36% |
Counties in 1978
Every county with a fatal crash in 1978, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 32 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernalillo County | 114 | 123 | 18.3 | 1,043 |
| McKinley County | 68 | 74 | 107.3 | 278 |
| San Juan County | 51 | 59 | 48.8 | 285 |
| Valencia County | 36 | 40 | 49.5 | 99 |
| Santa Fe County | 36 | 38 | 24.1 | 201 |
| Sandoval County | 24 | 31 | 19.7 | 157 |
| Doña Ana County | 26 | 28 | 12.2 | 237 |
| Otero County | 22 | 27 | 38.7 | 95 |
| Chaves County | 21 | 24 | 37.7 | 113 |
| Rio Arriba County | 17 | 24 | 60.1 | 116 |
| Lea County | 16 | 18 | 24.0 | 194 |
| Eddy County | 15 | 17 | 27.7 | 148 |
| Socorro County | 14 | 14 | 87.7 | 94 |
| Grant County | 10 | 13 | 47.2 | 56 |
| Quay County | 9 | 13 | 154.7 | 50 |
| Lincoln County | 12 | 12 | 59.9 | 50 |
| Taos County | 11 | 12 | 34.8 | 80 |
| Mora County | 6 | 12 | 293.0 | 37 |
| Curry County | 9 | 10 | 21.2 | 59 |
| San Miguel County | 9 | 10 | 37.8 | 58 |
| Torrance County | 9 | 10 | 62.6 | 103 |
| Guadalupe County | 9 | 9 | 205.2 | 87 |
| Colfax County | 7 | 8 | 65.0 | 44 |
| Luna County | 7 | 7 | 27.1 | 95 |
| Roosevelt County | 6 | 7 | 37.4 | 45 |
| De Baca County | 5 | 7 | 422.5 | 14 |
| Hidalgo County | 5 | 5 | 126.1 | 42 |
| Union County | 1–2 | 5 | 127.4 | 11 |
| Catron County | 4 | 4 | 105.4 | 15 |
| Sierra County | 4 | 4 | 35.1 | 37 |
| Harding County | 3 | 3 | 472.4 | 4 |
| Los Alamos County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
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 New Mexico in 1978?
669 people in 588 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1978 file.
Which county in New Mexico had the most crash deaths in 1978?
Bernalillo County with 123 deaths in 114 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1978 compare with 1977 in New Mexico?
669 deaths against 668 in 1977 (0%). Nationally the 1978 total was 50,331.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1978 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.