States › New Mexico › 1982
New Mexico in 1982
Deaths 577Fatal crashes 489Per 100,000 —US deaths 43,945
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 1982.
In 1982, 577 people died in 489 fatal crashes in New Mexico.
The death toll rose 6% from 544 in 1981 to 577 in 1982.
New Mexico accounted for 1.3% of the 43,945 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
50.7% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
38% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1981 and the nation
| Measure | New Mexico 1982 | New Mexico 1981 | United States 1982 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 577 | 544 | 43,945 |
| Fatal crashes | 489 | 480 | 39,092 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 51% | 47% | 41% |
Counties in 1982
Every county with a fatal crash in 1982, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 33 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernalillo County | 66 | 79 | 11.8 | 1,043 |
| McKinley County | 40 | 53 | 76.9 | 278 |
| San Juan County | 46 | 52 | 43.0 | 285 |
| Santa Fe County | 35 | 38 | 24.1 | 201 |
| Lea County | 27 | 32 | 42.6 | 194 |
| Doña Ana County | 23 | 25 | 10.9 | 237 |
| Rio Arriba County | 20 | 23 | 57.6 | 116 |
| Chaves County | 15 | 21 | 33.0 | 113 |
| Sandoval County | 19 | 20 | 12.7 | 157 |
| Taos County | 16 | 20 | 58.0 | 80 |
| Eddy County | 16 | 18 | 29.3 | 148 |
| Cibola County | 15 | 17 | 63.7 | 141 |
| Valencia County | 14 | 17 | 21.0 | 99 |
| Curry County | 11 | 16 | 33.9 | 59 |
| Sierra County | 11 | 16 | 140.5 | 37 |
| Otero County | 13 | 15 | 21.5 | 95 |
| Grant County | 12 | 13 | 47.2 | 56 |
| San Miguel County | 12 | 12 | 45.4 | 58 |
| Roosevelt County | 8 | 12 | 64.1 | 45 |
| Quay County | 10 | 11 | 130.9 | 50 |
| Luna County | 9 | 11 | 42.5 | 95 |
| Lincoln County | 10 | 10 | 49.9 | 50 |
| Socorro County | 9 | 9 | 56.4 | 94 |
| Union County | 4 | 8 | 203.8 | 11 |
| Guadalupe County | 6 | 6 | 136.8 | 87 |
| Torrance County | 6 | 6 | 37.5 | 103 |
| Colfax County | 5 | 6 | 48.8 | 44 |
| Mora County | 4 | 4 | 97.7 | 37 |
| Catron County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| Hidalgo County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 42 |
| De Baca County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Harding County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 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 1982?
577 people in 489 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1982 file.
Which county in New Mexico had the most crash deaths in 1982?
Bernalillo County with 79 deaths in 66 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1982 compare with 1981 in New Mexico?
577 deaths against 544 in 1981 (+6%). Nationally the 1982 total was 43,945.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1982 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.