States › Washington › 1986
Washington in 1986
Deaths 703Fatal crashes 648Per 100,000 —US deaths 46,087
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 1986.
In 1986, 703 people died in 648 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll fell 6% from 744 in 1985 to 703 in 1986.
Washington accounted for 1.5% of the 46,087 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
54.9% 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; Friday was the most common day.
Compared with 1985 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1986 | Washington 1985 | United States 1986 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 703 | 744 | 46,087 |
| Fatal crashes | 648 | 645 | 41,090 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 55% | 52% | 43% |
Counties in 1986
Every county with a fatal crash in 1986, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 36 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 153 | 161 | 6.9 | 1,260 |
| Spokane County | 63 | 67 | 12.1 | 432 |
| Pierce County | 54 | 56 | 6.0 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 41 | 42 | 4.9 | 474 |
| Yakima County | 31 | 35 | 13.5 | 405 |
| Clark County | 24 | 25 | 4.7 | 324 |
| Thurston County | 24 | 24 | 7.9 | 219 |
| Benton County | 20 | 24 | 11.0 | 177 |
| Kitsap County | 20 | 22 | 7.8 | 177 |
| Grays Harbor County | 17 | 19 | 24.4 | 92 |
| Skagit County | 17 | 19 | 14.3 | 150 |
| Grant County | 17 | 18 | 17.2 | 208 |
| Lewis County | 16 | 17 | 19.5 | 113 |
| Stevens County | 11 | 14 | 28.6 | 68 |
| Walla Walla County | 11 | 13 | 20.9 | 51 |
| Cowlitz County | 10 | 13 | 11.4 | 125 |
| Okanogan County | 10 | 13 | 28.9 | 86 |
| Kittitas County | 12 | 12 | 24.9 | 106 |
| Mason County | 10 | 12 | 17.2 | 115 |
| Chelan County | 7 | 12 | 14.8 | 71 |
| Whatcom County | 11 | 11 | 4.7 | 150 |
| Adams County | 10 | 11 | 52.3 | 75 |
| Clallam County | 9 | 10 | 12.8 | 66 |
| Lincoln County | 8 | 9 | 75.9 | 39 |
| Douglas County | 8 | 8 | 17.5 | 41 |
| Pend Oreille County | 5 | 6 | 41.9 | 28 |
| Franklin County | 5 | 5 | 4.9 | 81 |
| Island County | 5 | 5 | 5.8 | 66 |
| Ferry County | 4 | 4 | 53.0 | 25 |
| Klickitat County | 4 | 4 | 16.6 | 34 |
| Whitman County | 4 | 4 | 8.3 | 43 |
| Jefferson County | 3 | 4 | 11.8 | 54 |
| Asotin County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| Garfield County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 8 |
| Pacific County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 28 |
| Skamania County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
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 1986?
703 people in 648 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1986 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1986?
King County with 161 deaths in 153 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1986 compare with 1985 in Washington?
703 deaths against 744 in 1985 (+-6%). Nationally the 1986 total was 46,087.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1986 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.