States › New Mexico › 1989
New Mexico in 1989
Deaths 538Fatal crashes 469Per 100,000 —US deaths 45,582
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 1989.
In 1989, 538 people died in 469 fatal crashes in New Mexico.
The death toll rose 10% from 487 in 1988 to 538 in 1989.
New Mexico accounted for 1.2% of the 45,582 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
46.3% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
32% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1988 and the nation
| Measure | New Mexico 1989 | New Mexico 1988 | United States 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 538 | 487 | 45,582 |
| Fatal crashes | 469 | 433 | 40,741 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 46% | 53% | 39% |
Counties in 1989
Every county with a fatal crash in 1989, 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 | 74 | 76 | 11.3 | 1,043 |
| McKinley County | 57 | 66 | 95.7 | 278 |
| San Juan County | 41 | 51 | 42.2 | 285 |
| Doña Ana County | 29 | 31 | 13.5 | 237 |
| Santa Fe County | 23 | 26 | 16.5 | 201 |
| Sandoval County | 19 | 26 | 16.5 | 157 |
| Eddy County | 17 | 22 | 35.8 | 148 |
| Grant County | 13 | 19 | 69.0 | 56 |
| Cibola County | 17 | 18 | 67.5 | 141 |
| Luna County | 11 | 18 | 69.6 | 95 |
| Valencia County | 17 | 17 | 21.0 | 99 |
| Otero County | 13 | 17 | 24.4 | 95 |
| Rio Arriba County | 15 | 16 | 40.0 | 116 |
| San Miguel County | 14 | 16 | 60.5 | 58 |
| Torrance County | 14 | 15 | 93.8 | 103 |
| Guadalupe County | 12 | 13 | 296.5 | 87 |
| Socorro County | 12 | 13 | 81.4 | 94 |
| Taos County | 10 | 13 | 37.7 | 80 |
| Lincoln County | 11 | 12 | 59.9 | 50 |
| Curry County | 10 | 10 | 21.2 | 59 |
| Hidalgo County | 8 | 10 | 252.1 | 42 |
| Chaves County | 7 | 7 | 11.0 | 113 |
| Quay County | 5 | 6 | 71.4 | 50 |
| Lea County | 5 | 5 | 6.7 | 194 |
| Colfax County | 4 | 4 | 32.5 | 44 |
| Sierra County | 4 | 4 | 35.1 | 37 |
| Union County | 3 | 3 | 76.4 | 11 |
| Mora County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
| Catron County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
| Roosevelt County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 45 |
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 1989?
538 people in 469 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1989 file.
Which county in New Mexico had the most crash deaths in 1989?
Bernalillo County with 76 deaths in 74 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1989 compare with 1988 in New Mexico?
538 deaths against 487 in 1988 (+10%). Nationally the 1989 total was 45,582.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1989 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.