States › Washington › 1978
Washington in 1978
Deaths 985Fatal crashes 865Per 100,000 —US deaths 50,331
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 1978.
In 1978, 985 people died in 865 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll rose 8% from 912 in 1977 to 985 in 1978.
Washington accounted for 2% of the 50,331 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
50.9% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
34% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1977 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1978 | Washington 1977 | United States 1978 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 985 | 912 | 50,331 |
| Fatal crashes | 865 | 797 | 44,433 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 51% | 56% | 36% |
Counties in 1978
Every county with a fatal crash in 1978, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 38 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 215 | 232 | 9.9 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 79 | 93 | 9.9 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 67 | 77 | 8.9 | 474 |
| Yakima County | 53 | 66 | 25.5 | 405 |
| Spokane County | 53 | 61 | 11.0 | 432 |
| Clark County | 35 | 43 | 8.2 | 324 |
| Benton County | 34 | 40 | 18.3 | 177 |
| Kitsap County | 32 | 34 | 12.1 | 177 |
| Whatcom County | 26 | 31 | 13.2 | 150 |
| Thurston County | 22 | 26 | 8.6 | 219 |
| Clallam County | 23 | 25 | 32.1 | 66 |
| Grays Harbor County | 22 | 24 | 30.8 | 92 |
| Chelan County | 16 | 20 | 24.6 | 71 |
| Cowlitz County | 14 | 16 | 14.0 | 125 |
| Skagit County | 14 | 16 | 12.1 | 150 |
| Island County | 13 | 16 | 18.5 | 66 |
| Lewis County | 14 | 15 | 17.2 | 113 |
| Okanogan County | 12 | 13 | 28.9 | 86 |
| Franklin County | 12 | 12 | 11.9 | 81 |
| Stevens County | 10 | 12 | 24.5 | 68 |
| Whitman County | 10 | 12 | 24.8 | 43 |
| Grant County | 9 | 12 | 11.5 | 208 |
| Walla Walla County | 10 | 11 | 17.7 | 51 |
| Adams County | 9 | 10 | 47.5 | 75 |
| Jefferson County | 9 | 10 | 29.5 | 54 |
| Kittitas County | 8 | 9 | 18.7 | 106 |
| Klickitat County | 8 | 8 | 33.2 | 34 |
| Mason County | 6 | 8 | 11.5 | 115 |
| Douglas County | 6 | 7 | 15.3 | 41 |
| Pacific County | 5 | 6 | 24.7 | 28 |
| Lincoln County | 5 | 5 | 42.2 | 39 |
| Asotin County | 4 | 4 | 17.8 | 13 |
| San Juan County | 1–2 | 3 | 16.1 | 11 |
| Ferry County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 25 |
| Pend Oreille County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 28 |
| Skamania County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
| Columbia County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 5 |
| Wahkiakum County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
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 Washington in 1978?
985 people in 865 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1978 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1978?
King County with 232 deaths in 215 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1978 compare with 1977 in Washington?
985 deaths against 912 in 1977 (+8%). Nationally the 1978 total was 50,331.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1978 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.