States › New Mexico › 2003
New Mexico in 2003
Deaths 439Fatal crashes 367Per 100,000 23.4US deaths 42,884
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 2003.
In 2003, 439 people died in 367 fatal crashes in New Mexico, 23.4 deaths per 100,000 residents against 14.8 nationally.
The death toll was about level between 2002 (449) and 2003 (439).
New Mexico accounted for 1% of the 42,884 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
50.7% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
35% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 2002 and the nation
| Measure | New Mexico 2003 | New Mexico 2002 | United States 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 439 | 449 | 42,884 |
| Fatal crashes | 367 | 398 | 38,477 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 23.4 | 24.2 | 14.8 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 51% | 50% | 35% |
Counties in 2003
Every county with a fatal crash in 2003, 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 | 54 | 61 | 9.1 | 1,043 |
| McKinley County | 34 | 43 | 62.4 | 278 |
| San Juan County | 37 | 41 | 33.9 | 285 |
| Doña Ana County | 26 | 29 | 12.6 | 237 |
| Santa Fe County | 17 | 19 | 12.0 | 201 |
| Sandoval County | 16 | 19 | 12.0 | 157 |
| Eddy County | 14 | 17 | 27.7 | 148 |
| Valencia County | 14 | 17 | 21.0 | 99 |
| Colfax County | 10 | 17 | 138.1 | 44 |
| Luna County | 10 | 15 | 58.0 | 95 |
| Otero County | 13 | 14 | 20.1 | 95 |
| Cibola County | 12 | 14 | 52.5 | 141 |
| Rio Arriba County | 12 | 14 | 35.0 | 116 |
| Lea County | 11 | 13 | 17.3 | 194 |
| Socorro County | 11 | 13 | 81.4 | 94 |
| Quay County | 7 | 12 | 142.8 | 50 |
| San Miguel County | 8 | 11 | 41.6 | 58 |
| Torrance County | 7 | 10 | 62.6 | 103 |
| Curry County | 7 | 8 | 17.0 | 59 |
| Taos County | 6 | 7 | 20.3 | 80 |
| Sierra County | 6 | 6 | 52.7 | 37 |
| Guadalupe County | 4 | 6 | 136.8 | 87 |
| Grant County | 5 | 5 | 18.2 | 56 |
| Chaves County | 4 | 5 | 7.8 | 113 |
| Union County | 4 | 4 | 101.9 | 11 |
| Catron County | 3 | 4 | 105.4 | 15 |
| De Baca County | 3 | 3 | 181.1 | 14 |
| Hidalgo County | 3 | 3 | 75.6 | 42 |
| Lincoln County | 3 | 3 | 15.0 | 50 |
| Mora County | 3 | 3 | 73.2 | 37 |
| Roosevelt County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 45 |
| 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 2003?
439 people in 367 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2003 file, or 23.4 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in New Mexico had the most crash deaths in 2003?
Bernalillo County with 61 deaths in 54 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2003 compare with 2002 in New Mexico?
439 deaths against 449 in 2002 (+-2%). Nationally the 2003 total was 42,884.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2003 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.