States › Washington › 1997
Washington in 1997
Deaths 674Fatal crashes 587Per 100,000 —US deaths 42,013
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 1997.
In 1997, 674 people died in 587 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll fell 5% from 712 in 1996 to 674 in 1997.
Washington accounted for 1.6% of the 42,013 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
39.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
33% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.
Compared with 1996 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1997 | Washington 1996 | United States 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 674 | 712 | 42,013 |
| Fatal crashes | 587 | 643 | 37,324 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 39% | 48% | 30% |
Counties in 1997
Every county with a fatal crash in 1997, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 39 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 114 | 125 | 5.3 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 62 | 67 | 7.1 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 49 | 56 | 6.5 | 474 |
| Yakima County | 34 | 48 | 18.6 | 405 |
| Grant County | 25 | 30 | 28.6 | 208 |
| Thurston County | 23 | 28 | 9.2 | 219 |
| Spokane County | 23 | 27 | 4.9 | 432 |
| Clark County | 24 | 26 | 4.9 | 324 |
| Skagit County | 16 | 21 | 15.8 | 150 |
| Kitsap County | 19 | 20 | 7.1 | 177 |
| Cowlitz County | 14 | 18 | 15.8 | 125 |
| Okanogan County | 14 | 18 | 40.1 | 86 |
| Lewis County | 13 | 16 | 18.4 | 113 |
| Whatcom County | 12 | 15 | 6.4 | 150 |
| Benton County | 10 | 12 | 5.5 | 177 |
| Clallam County | 11 | 11 | 14.1 | 66 |
| Franklin County | 10 | 11 | 10.9 | 81 |
| Douglas County | 9 | 10 | 21.8 | 41 |
| Grays Harbor County | 9 | 10 | 12.8 | 92 |
| Chelan County | 9 | 9 | 11.1 | 71 |
| Jefferson County | 8 | 9 | 26.5 | 54 |
| Whitman County | 8 | 9 | 18.6 | 43 |
| Island County | 7 | 9 | 10.4 | 66 |
| Kittitas County | 8 | 8 | 16.6 | 106 |
| Mason County | 7 | 7 | 10.1 | 115 |
| Adams County | 6 | 7 | 33.3 | 75 |
| Walla Walla County | 6 | 6 | 9.7 | 51 |
| Ferry County | 5 | 5 | 66.3 | 25 |
| Klickitat County | 4 | 5 | 20.7 | 34 |
| Pacific County | 4 | 5 | 20.6 | 28 |
| Pend Oreille County | 4 | 5 | 34.9 | 28 |
| Lincoln County | 4 | 4 | 33.7 | 39 |
| Stevens County | 4 | 4 | 8.2 | 68 |
| Asotin County | 3 | 4 | 17.8 | 13 |
| Garfield County | 3 | 3 | 124.8 | 8 |
| Columbia County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 5 |
| San Juan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Skamania County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 37 |
| 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 1997?
674 people in 587 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1997 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1997?
King County with 125 deaths in 114 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1997 compare with 1996 in Washington?
674 deaths against 712 in 1996 (+-5%). Nationally the 1997 total was 42,013.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1997 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.