States › New Mexico › 1985
New Mexico in 1985
Deaths 535Fatal crashes 453Per 100,000 —US deaths 43,825
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 1985.
In 1985, 535 people died in 453 fatal crashes in New Mexico.
The death toll rose 8% from 497 in 1984 to 535 in 1985.
New Mexico accounted for 1.2% of the 43,825 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
44.6% 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 1984 and the nation
| Measure | New Mexico 1985 | New Mexico 1984 | United States 1985 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 535 | 497 | 43,825 |
| Fatal crashes | 453 | 426 | 39,196 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 45% | 49% | 40% |
Counties in 1985
Every county with a fatal crash in 1985, 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 | 79 | 86 | 12.8 | 1,043 |
| McKinley County | 39 | 45 | 65.3 | 278 |
| San Juan County | 29 | 35 | 29.0 | 285 |
| Rio Arriba County | 26 | 31 | 77.6 | 116 |
| Santa Fe County | 24 | 31 | 19.6 | 201 |
| Sandoval County | 20 | 30 | 19.0 | 157 |
| Doña Ana County | 26 | 28 | 12.2 | 237 |
| Lea County | 19 | 20 | 26.6 | 194 |
| Otero County | 18 | 20 | 28.7 | 95 |
| Cibola County | 15 | 17 | 63.7 | 141 |
| Taos County | 16 | 16 | 46.4 | 80 |
| Eddy County | 14 | 16 | 26.0 | 148 |
| Chaves County | 12 | 16 | 25.1 | 113 |
| Valencia County | 15 | 15 | 18.6 | 99 |
| San Miguel County | 13 | 14 | 53.0 | 58 |
| Curry County | 8 | 14 | 29.7 | 59 |
| Grant County | 12 | 12 | 43.6 | 56 |
| Luna County | 9 | 12 | 46.4 | 95 |
| De Baca County | 3 | 9 | 543.2 | 14 |
| Lincoln County | 6 | 8 | 40.0 | 50 |
| Roosevelt County | 6 | 8 | 42.8 | 45 |
| Sierra County | 6 | 8 | 70.2 | 37 |
| Socorro County | 7 | 7 | 43.8 | 94 |
| Colfax County | 6 | 7 | 56.9 | 44 |
| Guadalupe County | 6 | 7 | 159.6 | 87 |
| Quay County | 6 | 7 | 83.3 | 50 |
| Torrance County | 4 | 5 | 31.3 | 103 |
| Hidalgo County | 1–2 | 4 | 100.9 | 42 |
| Union County | 3 | 3 | 76.4 | 11 |
| Catron County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| Los Alamos County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| Mora County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
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 1985?
535 people in 453 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1985 file.
Which county in New Mexico had the most crash deaths in 1985?
Bernalillo County with 86 deaths in 79 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1985 compare with 1984 in New Mexico?
535 deaths against 497 in 1984 (+8%). Nationally the 1985 total was 43,825.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1985 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.