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1982

West Virginia · year

West Virginia in 1982

Deaths 450Fatal crashes 392Per 100,000 —US deaths 43,945

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 1982.

In 1982, 450 people died in 392 fatal crashes in West Virginia.

The death toll rose 10% from 410 in 1981 to 450 in 1982.

West Virginia accounted for 1% of the 43,945 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

45.2% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

37% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1981 and the nation

MeasureWest Virginia 1982West Virginia 1981United States 1982
Deaths45041043,945
Fatal crashes39235439,092
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver45%35%41%

Counties in 1982

Every county with a fatal crash in 1982, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 53 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Kanawha County424525.9268
Fayette County172359.662
Wayne County162053.286
Cabell County171920.8117
Greenbrier County151753.463
Raleigh County141723.5137
Berkeley County131511.0147
McDowell County121481.644
Mercer County101424.3101
Harrison County121320.272
Nicholas County121354.163
Wyoming County121260.129
Monongalia County111211.0107
Logan County101239.367
Putnam County101221.062
Wood County111113.3100
Mason County91144.446
Ohio County61024.344
Lincoln County9946.441
Mingo County9941.539
Braxton County8974.739
Preston County8823.550
Mineral County7726.132
Randolph County7725.750
Boone County6734.239
Hancock County6725.015
Marion County6712.645
Jefferson County5711.479
Barbour County5532.530
Gilmer County5570.312
Jackson County5518.060
Calhoun County4585.112
Pleasants County4568.08
Ritchie County3561.221
Lewis County4424.348
Webster County4450.313
Marshall County3413.630
Upshur County3416.940
Summers County1–2434.724
Clay County3339.018
Hampshire County3312.665
Monroe County3324.123
Tyler County3338.320
Wetzel County3321.821
Brooke County1–2314.115
Doddridge County1–2339.426
Grant County1–21–2—32
Hardy County1–21–2—42
Pendleton County1–21–2—18
Roane County1–21–2—33
Morgan County1–21–2—23
Pocahontas County1–21–2—16
Tucker County1–21–2—9

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

12am5.5%
1am4.9%
2am5.7%
3am3.6%
4am1.6%
5am1.8%
6am2.1%
7am1.3%
8am2.6%
9am2.3%
10am3.1%
11am2.3%
12pm3.1%
1pm2.3%
2pm4.2%
3pm3.6%
4pm6%
5pm6.8%
6pm5.5%
7pm6.2%
8pm6.5%
9pm6%
10pm6%
11pm7%

Weekday

Sunday15%
Monday12%
Tuesday11%
Wednesday13%
Thursday9%
Friday19%
Saturday21%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in West Virginia in 1982?

450 people in 392 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1982 file.

Which county in West Virginia had the most crash deaths in 1982?

Kanawha County with 45 deaths in 42 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1982 compare with 1981 in West Virginia?

450 deaths against 410 in 1981 (+10%). Nationally the 1982 total was 43,945.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1982 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.