States › Washington › 1996
Washington in 1996
Deaths 712Fatal crashes 643Per 100,000 —US deaths 42,065
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 1996.
In 1996, 712 people died in 643 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll rose 9% from 653 in 1995 to 712 in 1996.
Washington accounted for 1.7% of the 42,065 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
47.7% 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; Sunday was the most common day.
Compared with 1995 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1996 | Washington 1995 | United States 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 712 | 653 | 42,065 |
| Fatal crashes | 643 | 576 | 37,494 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 48% | 47% | 32% |
Counties in 1996
Every county with a fatal crash in 1996, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 37 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 120 | 131 | 5.6 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 68 | 73 | 7.8 | 794 |
| Yakima County | 45 | 59 | 22.8 | 405 |
| Snohomish County | 48 | 51 | 5.9 | 474 |
| Spokane County | 36 | 40 | 7.2 | 432 |
| Clark County | 33 | 36 | 6.8 | 324 |
| Grant County | 29 | 30 | 28.6 | 208 |
| Thurston County | 21 | 24 | 7.9 | 219 |
| Cowlitz County | 18 | 21 | 18.4 | 125 |
| Kittitas County | 17 | 20 | 41.5 | 106 |
| Grays Harbor County | 15 | 16 | 20.5 | 92 |
| Mason County | 15 | 15 | 21.5 | 115 |
| Benton County | 14 | 15 | 6.9 | 177 |
| Kitsap County | 14 | 15 | 5.3 | 177 |
| Whatcom County | 14 | 14 | 6.0 | 150 |
| Franklin County | 11 | 12 | 11.9 | 81 |
| Lewis County | 10 | 11 | 12.6 | 113 |
| Okanogan County | 10 | 11 | 24.5 | 86 |
| Skagit County | 10 | 11 | 8.3 | 150 |
| Walla Walla County | 10 | 11 | 17.7 | 51 |
| Clallam County | 9 | 10 | 12.8 | 66 |
| Chelan County | 8 | 10 | 12.3 | 71 |
| Whitman County | 8 | 9 | 18.6 | 43 |
| Adams County | 7 | 9 | 42.8 | 75 |
| Douglas County | 6 | 9 | 19.7 | 41 |
| Stevens County | 8 | 8 | 16.3 | 68 |
| Jefferson County | 7 | 8 | 23.6 | 54 |
| Island County | 7 | 7 | 8.1 | 66 |
| Klickitat County | 6 | 7 | 29.0 | 34 |
| Ferry County | 5 | 5 | 66.3 | 25 |
| Lincoln County | 4 | 4 | 33.7 | 39 |
| Pacific County | 3 | 3 | 12.4 | 28 |
| Asotin County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| Pend Oreille County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 28 |
| Columbia County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 5 |
| San Juan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| 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 1996?
712 people in 643 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1996 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1996?
King County with 131 deaths in 120 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1996 compare with 1995 in Washington?
712 deaths against 653 in 1995 (+9%). Nationally the 1996 total was 42,065.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1996 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.