States › New Mexico › 1987
New Mexico in 1987
Deaths 568Fatal crashes 493Per 100,000 —US deaths 46,390
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 1987.
In 1987, 568 people died in 493 fatal crashes in New Mexico.
The death toll rose 14% from 499 in 1986 to 568 in 1987.
New Mexico accounted for 1.2% of the 46,390 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
49.5% 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 1986 and the nation
| Measure | New Mexico 1987 | New Mexico 1986 | United States 1987 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 568 | 499 | 46,390 |
| Fatal crashes | 493 | 436 | 41,438 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 49% | 47% | 42% |
Counties in 1987
Every county with a fatal crash in 1987, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 31 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernalillo County | 96 | 109 | 16.2 | 1,043 |
| McKinley County | 47 | 59 | 85.6 | 278 |
| San Juan County | 39 | 42 | 34.8 | 285 |
| Doña Ana County | 25 | 29 | 12.6 | 237 |
| Sandoval County | 25 | 28 | 17.7 | 157 |
| Otero County | 18 | 28 | 40.2 | 95 |
| Chaves County | 19 | 23 | 36.1 | 113 |
| Santa Fe County | 22 | 22 | 13.9 | 201 |
| Socorro County | 16 | 20 | 125.3 | 94 |
| Valencia County | 18 | 18 | 22.3 | 99 |
| Cibola County | 17 | 18 | 67.5 | 141 |
| Taos County | 15 | 18 | 52.2 | 80 |
| Lea County | 15 | 17 | 22.6 | 194 |
| Grant County | 15 | 16 | 58.1 | 56 |
| Rio Arriba County | 14 | 16 | 40.0 | 116 |
| Lincoln County | 12 | 16 | 79.9 | 50 |
| Torrance County | 10 | 11 | 68.8 | 103 |
| Luna County | 9 | 11 | 42.5 | 95 |
| Colfax County | 8 | 11 | 89.4 | 44 |
| Sierra County | 8 | 10 | 87.8 | 37 |
| Eddy County | 9 | 9 | 14.6 | 148 |
| Guadalupe County | 5 | 5 | 114.0 | 87 |
| San Miguel County | 5 | 5 | 18.9 | 58 |
| Curry County | 4 | 4 | 8.5 | 59 |
| Hidalgo County | 4 | 4 | 100.9 | 42 |
| Mora County | 4 | 4 | 97.7 | 37 |
| Roosevelt County | 4 | 4 | 21.4 | 45 |
| Union County | 4 | 4 | 101.9 | 11 |
| Quay County | 3 | 4 | 47.6 | 50 |
| 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 1987?
568 people in 493 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1987 file.
Which county in New Mexico had the most crash deaths in 1987?
Bernalillo County with 109 deaths in 96 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1987 compare with 1986 in New Mexico?
568 deaths against 499 in 1986 (+14%). Nationally the 1987 total was 46,390.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1987 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.