Utah in 1979
Deaths 321Fatal crashes 282Per 100,000 —US deaths 51,093
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 1979.
In 1979, 321 people died in 282 fatal crashes in Utah.
The death toll fell 13% from 370 in 1978 to 321 in 1979.
Utah accounted for 0.6% of the 51,093 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
36.5% 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; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1978 and the nation
| Measure | Utah 1979 | Utah 1978 | United States 1979 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 321 | 370 | 51,093 |
| Fatal crashes | 282 | 310 | 45,223 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 37% | 31% | 39% |
Counties in 1979
Every county with a fatal crash in 1979, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 26 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake County | 82 | 90 | 7.4 | 736 |
| Utah County | 32 | 35 | 4.7 | 338 |
| Weber County | 20 | 20 | 7.2 | 217 |
| Davis County | 18 | 19 | 5.0 | 151 |
| Tooele County | 14 | 17 | 20.1 | 121 |
| Millard County | 9 | 17 | 125.3 | 72 |
| Box Elder County | 14 | 16 | 25.0 | 108 |
| Washington County | 10 | 12 | 5.8 | 154 |
| San Juan County | 10 | 11 | 75.3 | 82 |
| Summit County | 9 | 11 | 25.5 | 49 |
| Sevier County | 6 | 11 | 48.8 | 44 |
| Grand County | 8 | 9 | 91.9 | 67 |
| Cache County | 7 | 7 | 4.8 | 101 |
| Emery County | 6 | 7 | 68.9 | 53 |
| Juab County | 6 | 7 | 52.6 | 45 |
| Duchesne County | 5 | 5 | 24.0 | 37 |
| Uintah County | 5 | 5 | 13.1 | 53 |
| Carbon County | 4 | 4 | 19.4 | 49 |
| Garfield County | 3 | 4 | 75.6 | 23 |
| Iron County | 3 | 3 | 4.5 | 72 |
| Rich County | 3 | 3 | 109.0 | 13 |
| Sanpete County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 39 |
| Wasatch County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 93 |
| Kane County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 44 |
| Morgan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 22 |
| Piute County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 2 |
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 Utah in 1979?
321 people in 282 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1979 file.
Which county in Utah had the most crash deaths in 1979?
Salt Lake County with 90 deaths in 82 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1979 compare with 1978 in Utah?
321 deaths against 370 in 1978 (+-13%). Nationally the 1979 total was 51,093.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1979 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.