Fatal crashes in Taos County, New Mexico
In 2024, 7 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Taos County, 75.0% more than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 75 fatal crashes and 80 deaths, the 17th most of any county in New Mexico.
Deaths in Taos County by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 | 4 |
| 2022 | 7 | 8 |
| 2021 | 12 | 13 |
| 2020 | 15 | 15 |
| 2019 | 3 | 5 |
| 2018 | 9 | 9 |
| 2017 | 8 | 9 |
| 2016 | 8 | 8 |
| 2015 | 2 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
The deadliest roads in Taos County
State Highway 68 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Taos County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 18 deaths. The 4 roads listed held 55% of all fatal crashes in Taos County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 3 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.
| Road | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2022 to 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Highway 68 | 15 | 18 | 1 | no page |
| 2 | State Highway 522 | 11 | 12 | 5 | no page |
| 3 | US 64 | 8 | 8 | 2 | |
| 4 | State Highway 38 | 7 | 8 | 1 | no page |
Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Taos 13, Red River 6, El Prado 5. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen in Taos County
Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 5.3 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 4.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 9.3 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 4.0 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.7 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 6.7 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 1 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan1.3%
- Feb1.3%
- Mar5.3%
- Apr10.7%
- May8.0%
- Jun13.3%
- Jul6.7%
- Aug9.3%
- Sep12.0%
- Oct10.7%
- Nov8.0%
- Dec13.3%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes in Taos County first hit
The first harmful event was a rollover in 28%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a collision with another vehicle in 24%, a pedestrian in 11%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Rollover | 21 | 28% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 20 | 27% |
| Collision with another vehicle | 18 | 24% |
| Pedestrian | 8 | 11% |
| Other | 7 | 9.3% |
| Cyclist | 1 | 1.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 0 | 0.0% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes in Taos County compare with New Mexico
A drinking driver was recorded in 47% of fatal crashes in Taos County from 2015 to 2024, above the New Mexico share of 26%; speeding in 61%, above the New Mexico share of 36%; a hit-and-run in 2.7%, below the New Mexico share of 8.7%; a driver recorded as distracted in 32%, below the New Mexico share of 39%; 73% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the New Mexico share of 54%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of New Mexico. A share is only given over 20 crashes.
| Taos | New Mexico | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural roads | 78% | 55% | above the New Mexico share |
| At or near an intersection | 12% | 22% | below the New Mexico share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 37% | 33% | above the New Mexico share |
| A drinking driver | 47% | 26% | above the New Mexico share |
| Speeding | 61% | 36% | above the New Mexico share |
| A distracted driver (as recorded) | 32% | 39% | below the New Mexico share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 73% | 54% | above the New Mexico share |
| Hit-and-run | 2.7% | 8.7% | below the New Mexico share |
| A motorcycle involved | 13% | 14% | about the same as the New Mexico share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 11% | 21% | below the New Mexico share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in Taos County
- How many people died in car accidents in Taos County in 2024?
- 7 people died in 7 fatal crashes in Taos County, New Mexico, in 2024, 75.0% more than in 2023.
- What is the deadliest road in Taos County?
- State Highway 68 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Taos County from 2015 to 2024: 15, with 18 deaths.
- How many fatal crashes in Taos County involved a drinking driver?
- 35 of 75 fatal crashes in Taos County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 47%, against 26% across New Mexico.
Other counties in New Mexico with a page
- Bernalillo County
- San Juan County
- McKinley County
- Doña Ana County
- Santa Fe County
- Lea County
- Sandoval County
- Eddy County
- Cibola County
- Chaves County
- Rio Arriba County
- Valencia County
All fatal crashes in New Mexico, with every county ranked.
Where the Taos County numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Taos County (county code 55). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. The full method.