States › New Mexico › 2016
New Mexico in 2016
Deaths 405Fatal crashes 361Per 100,000 19.4US deaths 37,806
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 2016.
In 2016, 405 people died in 361 fatal crashes in New Mexico, 19.4 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.7 nationally.
The death toll rose 36% from 298 in 2015 to 405 in 2016.
New Mexico accounted for 1.1% of the 37,806 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
28.8% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (34%).
37% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 2015 and the nation
| Measure | New Mexico 2016 | New Mexico 2015 | United States 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 405 | 298 | 37,806 |
| Fatal crashes | 361 | 269 | 34,748 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 19.4 | 14.3 | 11.7 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 29% | 29% | 27% |
Counties in 2016
Every county with a fatal crash in 2016, 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 | 95 | 100 | 14.9 | 1,043 |
| San Juan County | 27 | 32 | 26.5 | 285 |
| Doña Ana County | 21 | 24 | 10.5 | 237 |
| Santa Fe County | 20 | 23 | 14.6 | 201 |
| McKinley County | 22 | 22 | 31.9 | 278 |
| Cibola County | 14 | 17 | 63.7 | 141 |
| Sandoval County | 11 | 16 | 10.1 | 157 |
| Socorro County | 11 | 16 | 100.2 | 94 |
| Chaves County | 13 | 14 | 22.0 | 113 |
| Lea County | 11 | 13 | 17.3 | 194 |
| Luna County | 11 | 12 | 46.4 | 95 |
| Guadalupe County | 10 | 12 | 273.7 | 87 |
| Torrance County | 10 | 12 | 75.1 | 103 |
| Rio Arriba County | 9 | 11 | 27.5 | 116 |
| Taos County | 8 | 8 | 23.2 | 80 |
| Curry County | 7 | 7 | 14.8 | 59 |
| Lincoln County | 7 | 7 | 35.0 | 50 |
| San Miguel County | 7 | 7 | 26.5 | 58 |
| Valencia County | 7 | 7 | 8.7 | 99 |
| Eddy County | 6 | 7 | 11.4 | 148 |
| Colfax County | 5 | 5 | 40.6 | 44 |
| De Baca County | 5 | 5 | 301.8 | 14 |
| Roosevelt County | 5 | 5 | 26.7 | 45 |
| Mora County | 4 | 4 | 97.7 | 37 |
| Quay County | 1–2 | 4 | 47.6 | 50 |
| Grant County | 3 | 3 | 10.9 | 56 |
| Hidalgo County | 3 | 3 | 75.6 | 42 |
| Otero County | 3 | 3 | 4.3 | 95 |
| Sierra County | 1–2 | 3 | 26.3 | 37 |
| Harding County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 4 |
| Union County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
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
Road type
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in New Mexico in 2016?
405 people in 361 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2016 file, or 19.4 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in New Mexico had the most crash deaths in 2016?
Bernalillo County with 100 deaths in 95 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2016 compare with 2015 in New Mexico?
405 deaths against 298 in 2015 (+36%). Nationally the 2016 total was 37,806.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2016 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.