States › Washington › 1983
Washington in 1983
Deaths 698Fatal crashes 628Per 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, 698 people died in 628 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll fell 7% from 748 in 1982 to 698 in 1983.
Washington accounted for 1.6% of the 42,589 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
52.4% 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 1982 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1983 | Washington 1982 | United States 1983 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 698 | 748 | 42,589 |
| Fatal crashes | 628 | 671 | 37,976 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 52% | 59% | 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. 38 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 136 | 144 | 6.2 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 74 | 79 | 8.4 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 46 | 57 | 6.6 | 474 |
| Spokane County | 36 | 38 | 6.8 | 432 |
| Yakima County | 31 | 32 | 12.4 | 405 |
| Kitsap County | 24 | 31 | 11.0 | 177 |
| Clark County | 28 | 30 | 5.7 | 324 |
| Thurston County | 21 | 21 | 6.9 | 219 |
| Grant County | 17 | 20 | 19.1 | 208 |
| Benton County | 18 | 19 | 8.7 | 177 |
| Skagit County | 17 | 17 | 12.8 | 150 |
| Cowlitz County | 13 | 17 | 14.9 | 125 |
| Whatcom County | 13 | 17 | 7.2 | 150 |
| Kittitas County | 15 | 16 | 33.2 | 106 |
| Clallam County | 11 | 15 | 19.2 | 66 |
| Okanogan County | 13 | 14 | 31.2 | 86 |
| Chelan County | 11 | 13 | 16.0 | 71 |
| Lewis County | 11 | 11 | 12.6 | 113 |
| Mason County | 9 | 11 | 15.8 | 115 |
| Walla Walla County | 10 | 10 | 16.1 | 51 |
| Adams County | 9 | 9 | 42.8 | 75 |
| Island County | 8 | 9 | 10.4 | 66 |
| Douglas County | 7 | 9 | 19.7 | 41 |
| Grays Harbor County | 8 | 8 | 10.3 | 92 |
| Franklin County | 7 | 8 | 7.9 | 81 |
| Whitman County | 7 | 7 | 14.5 | 43 |
| Klickitat County | 5 | 7 | 29.0 | 34 |
| Ferry County | 1–2 | 6 | 79.5 | 25 |
| Stevens County | 5 | 5 | 10.2 | 68 |
| Jefferson County | 3 | 3 | 8.8 | 54 |
| Skamania County | 1–2 | 3 | 23.7 | 37 |
| Columbia County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 5 |
| Garfield County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| Lincoln County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 39 |
| Pend Oreille County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 28 |
| San Juan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Asotin County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| 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 1983?
698 people in 628 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1983 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1983?
King County with 144 deaths in 136 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1983 compare with 1982 in Washington?
698 deaths against 748 in 1982 (+-7%). 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.