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1997

Rhode Island in 1997

Deaths 75Fatal crashes 66Per 100,000 —US deaths 42,013

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 1997.

In 1997, 75 people died in 66 fatal crashes in Rhode Island.

The death toll rose 9% from 69 in 1996 to 75 in 1997.

Rhode Island accounted for 0.2% of the 42,013 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

47% 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; Sunday was the most common day.

← 199619971998 →All years

Compared with 1996 and the nation

Measure	Rhode Island 1997	Rhode Island 1996	United States 1997
Deaths	75	69	42,013
Fatal crashes	66	65	37,324
Deaths per 100,000 residents	—	—	—
Crashes with a drinking driver	47%	32%	30%

Counties in 1997

Every county with a fatal crash in 1997, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 5 counties listed.

County	Fatal crashes	Deaths	Per 100,000	Deaths 2015–2024
Providence County	33	40	5.9	357
Kent County	18	19	11.0	98
Washington County	13	13	10.0	105
Newport County	1–2	1–2	—	30
Bristol County	1–2	1–2	—	10

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

12am9.1%

1am16.7%

2am1.5%

3am1.5%

4am3%

5am0%

6am6.1%

7am1.5%

8am4.5%

9am1.5%

10am0%

11am1.5%

12pm4.5%

1pm0%

2pm1.5%

3pm1.5%

4pm1.5%

5pm7.6%

6pm6.1%

7pm7.6%

8pm4.5%

9pm6.1%

10pm6.1%

11pm6.1%

Weekday

Sunday26%

Monday12%

Tuesday8%

Wednesday9%

Thursday6%

Friday20%

Saturday20%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Rhode Island in 1997?

75 people in 66 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1997 file.

Which county in Rhode Island had the most crash deaths in 1997?

Providence County with 40 deaths in 33 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1997 compare with 1996 in Rhode Island?

75 deaths against 69 in 1996 (+9%). Nationally the 1997 total was 42,013.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1997 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.