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2003

West Virginia · year

West Virginia in 2003

Deaths 394Fatal crashes 362Per 100,000 21.7US deaths 42,884

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 2003.

In 2003, 394 people died in 362 fatal crashes in West Virginia, 21.7 deaths per 100,000 residents against 14.8 nationally.

The death toll fell 10% from 439 in 2002 to 394 in 2003.

West Virginia accounted for 0.9% of the 42,884 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

38.7% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

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

← 200220032004 →All years

Compared with 2002 and the nation

MeasureWest Virginia 2003West Virginia 2002United States 2003
Deaths39443942,884
Fatal crashes36240038,477
Deaths per 100,000 residents21.724.314.8
Crashes with a drinking driver39%43%35%

Counties in 2003

Every county with a fatal crash in 2003, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 52 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Kanawha County384224.2268
Berkeley County182014.7147
Harrison County121624.872
Jefferson County151524.579
Raleigh County151520.7137
Cabell County131415.3117
Mingo County111464.539
Jackson County131346.960
Putnam County121322.862
Mercer County121220.9101
Wood County101214.5100
Monongalia County111110.1107
Fayette County91025.962
Wayne County91026.686
Boone County9943.939
Lewis County9954.648
Marion County9916.245
Greenbrier County8825.163
McDowell County8846.744
Ohio County7819.544
Logan County7722.967
Mineral County7726.132
Wyoming County7735.129
Summers County6760.624
Lincoln County6631.041
Preston County6617.650
Randolph County6622.150
Grant County5654.732
Hampshire County5625.265
Nicholas County5625.063
Pocahontas County5565.316
Hardy County4534.942
Mason County4520.246
Wirt County45101.58
Wetzel County4429.121
Barbour County3426.030
Brooke County3418.815
Monroe County3432.123
Marshall County3310.230
Ritchie County1–2336.721
Roane County1–2322.233
Calhoun County1–21–2—12
Clay County1–21–2—18
Hancock County1–21–2—15
Morgan County1–21–2—23
Upshur County1–21–2—40
Webster County1–21–2—13
Braxton County1–21–2—39
Doddridge County1–21–2—26
Gilmer County1–21–2—12
Pleasants County1–21–2—8
Taylor County1–21–2—15

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

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

Weekday

Sunday12%
Monday14%
Tuesday10%
Wednesday12%
Thursday17%
Friday17%
Saturday17%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in West Virginia in 2003?

394 people in 362 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2003 file, or 21.7 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in West Virginia had the most crash deaths in 2003?

Kanawha County with 42 deaths in 38 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2003 compare with 2002 in West Virginia?

394 deaths against 439 in 2002 (+-10%). Nationally the 2003 total was 42,884.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2003 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.