States › New Mexico › 1998
New Mexico in 1998
Deaths 424Fatal crashes 374Per 100,000 —US deaths 41,501
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 1998.
In 1998, 424 people died in 374 fatal crashes in New Mexico.
The death toll fell 12% from 484 in 1997 to 424 in 1998.
New Mexico accounted for 1% of the 41,501 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
35.8% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
30% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Friday was the most common day.
Compared with 1997 and the nation
| Measure | New Mexico 1998 | New Mexico 1997 | United States 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 424 | 484 | 41,501 |
| Fatal crashes | 374 | 400 | 37,107 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 36% | 36% | 30% |
Counties in 1998
Every county with a fatal crash in 1998, 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 | 64 | 66 | 9.8 | 1,043 |
| San Juan County | 30 | 34 | 28.1 | 285 |
| Doña Ana County | 27 | 33 | 14.4 | 237 |
| McKinley County | 28 | 32 | 46.4 | 278 |
| Santa Fe County | 24 | 24 | 15.2 | 201 |
| San Miguel County | 17 | 19 | 71.9 | 58 |
| Sandoval County | 14 | 16 | 10.1 | 157 |
| Valencia County | 13 | 15 | 18.6 | 99 |
| Lincoln County | 13 | 14 | 69.9 | 50 |
| Rio Arriba County | 12 | 14 | 35.0 | 116 |
| Guadalupe County | 11 | 14 | 319.3 | 87 |
| Chaves County | 12 | 12 | 18.8 | 113 |
| Cibola County | 10 | 12 | 45.0 | 141 |
| Eddy County | 10 | 12 | 19.5 | 148 |
| Hidalgo County | 10 | 12 | 302.6 | 42 |
| Socorro County | 6 | 12 | 75.2 | 94 |
| Taos County | 11 | 11 | 31.9 | 80 |
| Luna County | 8 | 11 | 42.5 | 95 |
| Otero County | 9 | 9 | 12.9 | 95 |
| Lea County | 8 | 9 | 12.0 | 194 |
| Roosevelt County | 7 | 9 | 48.1 | 45 |
| Grant County | 6 | 7 | 25.4 | 56 |
| Torrance County | 5 | 5 | 31.3 | 103 |
| Quay County | 4 | 5 | 59.5 | 50 |
| Colfax County | 4 | 4 | 32.5 | 44 |
| Union County | 3 | 3 | 76.4 | 11 |
| Curry County | 1–2 | 3 | 6.4 | 59 |
| Mora County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
| Sierra County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
| De Baca County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 14 |
| Catron County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 15 |
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 1998?
424 people in 374 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1998 file.
Which county in New Mexico had the most crash deaths in 1998?
Bernalillo County with 66 deaths in 64 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1998 compare with 1997 in New Mexico?
424 deaths against 484 in 1997 (+-12%). Nationally the 1998 total was 41,501.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1998 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.