States › Washington › 1998
Washington in 1998
Deaths 662Fatal crashes 590Per 100,000 —US deaths 41,501
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 1998.
In 1998, 662 people died in 590 fatal crashes in Washington.
The death toll was about level between 1997 (674) and 1998 (662).
Washington accounted for 1.6% of the 41,501 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
41.7% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
32% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Friday was the most common day.
Compared with 1997 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 1998 | Washington 1997 | United States 1998 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 662 | 674 | 41,501 |
| Fatal crashes | 590 | 587 | 37,107 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | — | — | — |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 42% | 39% | 30% |
Counties in 1998
Every county with a fatal crash in 1998, 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 | 107 | 115 | 4.9 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 66 | 76 | 8.1 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 49 | 58 | 6.7 | 474 |
| Spokane County | 42 | 45 | 8.1 | 432 |
| Yakima County | 41 | 43 | 16.6 | 405 |
| Whatcom County | 27 | 28 | 11.9 | 150 |
| Grant County | 18 | 24 | 22.9 | 208 |
| Thurston County | 20 | 21 | 6.9 | 219 |
| Lewis County | 18 | 20 | 23.0 | 113 |
| Clark County | 19 | 19 | 3.6 | 324 |
| Benton County | 15 | 19 | 8.7 | 177 |
| Skagit County | 14 | 16 | 12.1 | 150 |
| Kittitas County | 13 | 14 | 29.1 | 106 |
| Okanogan County | 11 | 14 | 31.2 | 86 |
| Mason County | 12 | 13 | 18.7 | 115 |
| Clallam County | 11 | 13 | 16.7 | 66 |
| Chelan County | 8 | 13 | 16.0 | 71 |
| Kitsap County | 12 | 12 | 4.3 | 177 |
| Klickitat County | 8 | 8 | 33.2 | 34 |
| Walla Walla County | 7 | 8 | 12.9 | 51 |
| Adams County | 6 | 8 | 38.0 | 75 |
| Franklin County | 6 | 8 | 7.9 | 81 |
| Cowlitz County | 6 | 6 | 5.3 | 125 |
| Grays Harbor County | 6 | 6 | 7.7 | 92 |
| Stevens County | 6 | 6 | 12.2 | 68 |
| Jefferson County | 5 | 6 | 17.7 | 54 |
| Lincoln County | 5 | 6 | 50.6 | 39 |
| Pend Oreille County | 5 | 6 | 41.9 | 28 |
| Garfield County | 4 | 4 | 166.4 | 8 |
| Whitman County | 4 | 4 | 8.3 | 43 |
| Asotin County | 3 | 3 | 13.3 | 13 |
| Ferry County | 3 | 3 | 39.8 | 25 |
| Pacific County | 3 | 3 | 12.4 | 28 |
| Skamania County | 3 | 3 | 23.7 | 37 |
| Douglas County | 1–2 | 3 | 6.6 | 41 |
| Island County | 1–2 | 3 | 3.5 | 66 |
| San Juan County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 11 |
| Wahkiakum County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| 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 1998?
662 people in 590 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1998 file.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 1998?
King County with 115 deaths in 107 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 1998 compare with 1997 in Washington?
662 deaths against 674 in 1997 (+-2%). Nationally the 1998 total was 41,501.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1998 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.