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1983

South Carolina · year

South Carolina in 1983

Deaths 844Fatal crashes 739Per 100,000 —US deaths 42,589

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 1983.

In 1983, 844 people died in 739 fatal crashes in South Carolina.

The death toll rose 16% from 730 in 1982 to 844 in 1983.

South Carolina accounted for 2% of the 42,589 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

38.7% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

37% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1982 and the nation

MeasureSouth Carolina 1983South Carolina 1982United States 1983
Deaths84473042,589
Fatal crashes73966737,976
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver39%40%41%

Counties in 1983

Every county with a fatal crash in 1983, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 45 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Charleston County626715.5682
Richland County475512.8585
Greenville County43529.1831
Spartanburg County414813.0672
Horry County424611.1714
Anderson County363918.0435
Lexington County303511.2501
Florence County262820.3349
Berkeley County262710.2410
York County23258.3338
Orangeburg County232428.9387
Dorchester County212413.7245
Darlington County192336.8213
Aiken County202212.3321
Sumter County182120.0234
Beaufort County18209.9225
Pickens County162014.5203
Laurens County151825.5238
Dillon County131761.6112
Union County101763.771
Marion County121552.9101
Georgetown County131421.2150
Williamsburg County121343.5114
Oconee County101315.8142
Kershaw County111216.7167
Lancaster County111210.7167
Saluda County111261.742
Fairfield County81154.0113
Chesterfield County101022.5118
Newberry County91025.595
Greenwood County81014.3124
Cherokee County8915.6160
Clarendon County8929.0146
Hampton County8949.564
Colleton County7922.9215
Marlboro County8831.4103
Jasper County6822.5178
Abbeville County7728.448
Chester County5515.5135
McCormick County5550.132
Barnwell County3419.547
Edgefield County3413.652
Allendale County3339.728
Calhoun County1–21–2—67
Lee County1–21–2—64

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

12am6.5%
1am6%
2am3.8%
3am4.1%
4am2.3%
5am1.6%
6am1.9%
7am2.3%
8am3%
9am2.4%
10am2.4%
11am2.2%
12pm2.7%
1pm2.6%
2pm4.8%
3pm4.6%
4pm3.5%
5pm6.4%
6pm6.8%
7pm5.7%
8pm6.7%
9pm5.4%
10pm5.4%
11pm6.7%

Weekday

Sunday13%
Monday12%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday9%
Thursday13%
Friday19%
Saturday23%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in South Carolina in 1983?

844 people in 739 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1983 file.

Which county in South Carolina had the most crash deaths in 1983?

Charleston County with 67 deaths in 62 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1983 compare with 1982 in South Carolina?

844 deaths against 730 in 1982 (+16%). Nationally the 1983 total was 42,589.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1983 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.