States › Washington › 1979
Washington in 1979
Deaths 1,015Fatal crashes 894Per 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, 1,015 people died in 894 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll was about level between 1978 (985) and 1979 (1,015).
Washington accounted for 2% of the 51,093 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
56.9% 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 1978 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1979 | Washington 1978 | United States 1979 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 1,015 | 985 | 51,093 |
| Fatal crashes | 894 | 865 | 45,223 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 57% | 51% | 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. 38 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 219 | 242 | 10.3 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 81 | 90 | 9.6 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 64 | 68 | 7.9 | 474 |
| Spokane County | 53 | 60 | 10.8 | 432 |
| Yakima County | 44 | 52 | 20.1 | 405 |
| Clark County | 35 | 39 | 7.4 | 324 |
| Whatcom County | 34 | 39 | 16.6 | 150 |
| Skagit County | 28 | 34 | 25.6 | 150 |
| Clallam County | 25 | 32 | 41.0 | 66 |
| Benton County | 24 | 30 | 13.7 | 177 |
| Kitsap County | 24 | 30 | 10.7 | 177 |
| Thurston County | 24 | 27 | 8.9 | 219 |
| Cowlitz County | 23 | 23 | 20.2 | 125 |
| Okanogan County | 18 | 21 | 46.7 | 86 |
| Lewis County | 17 | 20 | 23.0 | 113 |
| Kittitas County | 16 | 20 | 41.5 | 106 |
| Grays Harbor County | 15 | 17 | 21.8 | 92 |
| Franklin County | 16 | 16 | 15.8 | 81 |
| Grant County | 12 | 16 | 15.3 | 208 |
| Walla Walla County | 12 | 15 | 24.2 | 51 |
| Chelan County | 14 | 14 | 17.2 | 71 |
| Douglas County | 9 | 11 | 24.0 | 41 |
| Klickitat County | 9 | 11 | 45.6 | 34 |
| Adams County | 10 | 10 | 47.5 | 75 |
| Mason County | 10 | 10 | 14.4 | 115 |
| Island County | 9 | 9 | 10.4 | 66 |
| Whitman County | 8 | 9 | 18.6 | 43 |
| Stevens County | 8 | 8 | 16.3 | 68 |
| Pacific County | 6 | 8 | 33.0 | 28 |
| Jefferson County | 5 | 8 | 23.6 | 54 |
| Asotin County | 3 | 6 | 26.6 | 13 |
| Skamania County | 4 | 4 | 31.6 | 37 |
| Ferry County | 3 | 3 | 39.8 | 25 |
| Lincoln County | 3 | 3 | 25.3 | 39 |
| Pend Oreille County | 3 | 3 | 20.9 | 28 |
| Wahkiakum County | 1–2 | 3 | 62.5 | 6 |
| Garfield County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| Columbia County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 5 |
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 1979?
1,015 people in 894 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1979 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1979?
King County with 242 deaths in 219 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1979 compare with 1978 in Washington?
1,015 deaths against 985 in 1978 (+3%). 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.