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(253) 272-5226Each year, thousands of car crashes happen on Washington’s roads. Taking a closer look at the statistics maintained on Washington Department of Transportation (“WSDOT”) can shed some light on common causes and risk groups.
We maintain a table of key car crash statistics for Washington state on this blog post. Here are some of the key findings for 2021 crashes in Washington State:
It is our observation that these numbers may adjust over time, as additional data becomes available. Rest assured, we periodically double check and update our post to reflect these changes.
When it comes to car crash statistics for Washington, the good news is that overall crashes have declined in the last five years. Surprisingly, the COVID-19 restrictions did not hamper the number of crashes resulting in serious injury or death, In fact, the number of those crashes increased in 2020, as reported by WSDOT. You can read more about these findings on our blog post about increased incidents of extreme speeding during COVID-19.
Crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians were down slightly, but more needs to be done to protect these vulnerable road users. While not reported on the chart below, there was an uptick of motorcyclist fatalities in 2020.
The restrictions from COVID-19 demonstrate the importance of continuing to abide by posted speed limits and driving sober, even when the roads seem “wide open.”
| Year | Total Crashes | Fatal | Serious Injury | Drunk Driver | Teen Driver | Distracted Driving | Pedestrian or Bicycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 107,674 | 431 | 1,697 | 6,414 | 15,753 | 40,459 | 3,469 |
| 2015 | 117,077 | 498 | 1,768 | 6,705 | 17,571 | 42,277 | 3,624 |
| 2016 | 122,398 | 508 | 1,904 | 6,975 | 18,045 | 43,297 | 3,677 |
| 2017 | 121,151 | 532 | 1,925 | 8,254 | 17,414 | 40,953 | 3,422 |
| 2018 | 116,075 | 489 | 1,943 | 8,007 | 16,474 | 38,629 | 3,715 |
| 2019 | 111,678 | 517 | 1,937 | 7,628 | 15,382 | 35,761 | 3,421 |
| 2020 | 86,284 | 537 | 2,070 | 5,276 | 11,755 | 16,608 | 2,385 |
| 2021 | 82,152 | 575 | 2,502 | 4,711 | 11,315 | 15,542 | 2,240 |
Data from WSDOT. Please note that numbers may be subject to adjustments.
Of course, even one death or serious injury is one too many.
Thankfully, the Washington State Traffic Commission agrees. In 2000, an aggressive plan called Target Zero was launched with the goal of having zero serious injuries or deaths by 2030. Target Zero is a multi-faceted, evolving plan that involves projects, programs, initiatives, and campaigns across the state. Some of the focuses include roadway design, establishing best practices in licensing, and public education.
We all have a part to play to keep our roadways safe. The good news is that most car wrecks are preventable.
The CDC has stated that the following three safe driving measures can save the most lives:
Not surprisingly, drivers who engage in one risky behavior tend to engage in others. For instance, it’s not uncommon to find speeding drivers who are also unbuckled.
Before getting in the car, make sure you are rested, calm, and sober. Learn to create basic driving safety habits, like clearing your car of distractions and wearing your seatbelts.
Even if you are a safe driver, sometimes you still find end up the victim of someone else’s carelessness. If you live in Washington and have been injured in a car accident, our attorneys are here to help. We offer free consultations, and you only pay us if we’re able to win your case.
Our family-owned firm has decades of experience helping car accident victims in Washington receive the compensation they deserve. Please reach out to us if we can answer questions about your legal rights after a car accident.