States › New Mexico › 1981
New Mexico in 1981
Deaths 544Fatal crashes 480Per 100,000 —US deaths 49,301
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 1981.
In 1981, 544 people died in 480 fatal crashes in New Mexico.
The death toll fell 10% from 606 in 1980 to 544 in 1981.
New Mexico accounted for 1.1% of the 49,301 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
46.9% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
40% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1980 and the nation
| Measure | New Mexico 1981 | New Mexico 1980 | United States 1981 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 544 | 606 | 49,301 |
| Fatal crashes | 480 | 513 | 44,000 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 47% | 50% | 41% |
Counties in 1981
Every county with a fatal crash in 1981, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 30 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernalillo County | 65 | 68 | 10.1 | 1,043 |
| McKinley County | 55 | 62 | 89.9 | 278 |
| San Juan County | 49 | 50 | 41.4 | 285 |
| Doña Ana County | 30 | 37 | 16.1 | 237 |
| Lea County | 25 | 29 | 38.6 | 194 |
| Santa Fe County | 26 | 27 | 17.1 | 201 |
| Otero County | 16 | 25 | 35.9 | 95 |
| Rio Arriba County | 18 | 22 | 55.1 | 116 |
| Sandoval County | 17 | 22 | 13.9 | 157 |
| Valencia County | 19 | 20 | 24.7 | 99 |
| Chaves County | 15 | 17 | 26.7 | 113 |
| Lincoln County | 14 | 16 | 79.9 | 50 |
| Taos County | 14 | 16 | 46.4 | 80 |
| Grant County | 12 | 15 | 54.5 | 56 |
| Socorro County | 11 | 13 | 81.4 | 94 |
| Cibola County | 10 | 13 | 48.7 | 141 |
| San Miguel County | 10 | 12 | 45.4 | 58 |
| Eddy County | 11 | 11 | 17.9 | 148 |
| Luna County | 9 | 10 | 38.6 | 95 |
| Torrance County | 8 | 9 | 56.3 | 103 |
| Guadalupe County | 8 | 8 | 182.4 | 87 |
| Curry County | 7 | 7 | 14.8 | 59 |
| Colfax County | 6 | 7 | 56.9 | 44 |
| Quay County | 6 | 7 | 83.3 | 50 |
| Roosevelt County | 6 | 6 | 32.1 | 45 |
| Sierra County | 5 | 5 | 43.9 | 37 |
| Hidalgo County | 4 | 5 | 126.1 | 42 |
| Mora County | 1–2 | 3 | 73.2 | 37 |
| Catron County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| 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 1981?
544 people in 480 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1981 file.
Which county in New Mexico had the most crash deaths in 1981?
Bernalillo County with 68 deaths in 65 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1981 compare with 1980 in New Mexico?
544 deaths against 606 in 1980 (+-10%). Nationally the 1981 total was 49,301.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1981 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.