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1998

South Carolina · year

South Carolina in 1998

Deaths 1,002Fatal crashes 912Per 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, 1,002 people died in 912 fatal crashes in South Carolina.

The death toll rose 11% from 903 in 1997 to 1,002 in 1998.

South Carolina accounted for 2.4% of the 41,501 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

24.9% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

32% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1997 and the nation

MeasureSouth Carolina 1998South Carolina 1997United States 1998
Deaths1,00290341,501
Fatal crashes91279837,107
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver25%33%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. 46 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Greenville County717613.3831
Spartanburg County697420.0672
Aiken County414927.3321
Horry County454711.4714
Richland County424510.4585
Charleston County424310.0682
Florence County344129.7349
Berkeley County333814.4410
Anderson County353717.0435
Lexington County333410.8501
Orangeburg County273137.3387
Lancaster County252623.3167
Darlington County212641.6213
York County25258.3338
Beaufort County232512.4225
Pickens County232518.1203
Dorchester County212413.7245
Georgetown County202436.3150
Sumter County182019.1234
Laurens County161926.9238
Jasper County151953.3178
Kershaw County161723.7167
Cherokee County151729.4160
Chesterfield County151738.2118
Oconee County151720.6142
Marion County131656.4101
Clarendon County141548.3146
Greenwood County131318.6124
Lee County101381.564
Williamsburg County121240.2114
Marlboro County111247.1103
Hampton County111160.564
Colleton County101128.0215
Dillon County101139.9112
Fairfield County81049.1113
Calhoun County8963.267
Edgefield County8827.252
Saluda County7841.142
Chester County7721.7135
Newberry County7717.995
Bamberg County6646.635
Barnwell County5524.447
Union County5518.771
Allendale County3339.728
McCormick County3330.132
Abbeville County1–21–2—48

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

12am3.8%
1am2.9%
2am2.9%
3am4.3%
4am3%
5am2.6%
6am3.7%
7am3.4%
8am3.3%
9am2.2%
10am3.6%
11am2.9%
12pm3.6%
1pm4.4%
2pm3.7%
3pm5.7%
4pm5%
5pm7.2%
6pm5.4%
7pm5.5%
8pm5.3%
9pm6.8%
10pm4.2%
11pm4.6%

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday13%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday13%
Thursday13%
Friday16%
Saturday17%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in South Carolina in 1998?

1,002 people in 912 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1998 file.

Which county in South Carolina had the most crash deaths in 1998?

Greenville County with 76 deaths in 71 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1998 compare with 1997 in South Carolina?

1,002 deaths against 903 in 1997 (+11%). 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.