Traffic Fatalities Drop Dramatically in Washington State
18 July 2000
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Though traffic volumes have increased 19% in the last decade, traffic deaths have dropped dramatically - down 23% from 1990 to 1999, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. Deaths are down a huge 50% for the month of July, one of the worst months of the year for traffic deaths. The July statewide death toll stands at 16, while at this time last year there were 32 deaths and overall the state death toll is down 9% this year over last year. There have been 272 deaths thus far this year, compared with 302 last year, and last year was the lowest death toll in the decade. Continued increases in seat belt and child car seat use and decreases in drinking and driving are thought to be the reasons for the improvements. "Summer is here. We should enjoy it, but beware that July and August are the worst months for fatal crashes. So far the death toll for July is down an astonishing 50% over last year," said John Moffat, Traffic Safety Commission Director. There were 825 deaths on state roads in 1990 compared with a death toll of 635 people in 1999. Traffic volumes, measured in "vehicle miles traveled" by the state Department of Transportation increased from 44.2 billion in 1990 to 52.7 billion in 1999 -- a 19% increase. "We believe that the .08 law which lowered the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers is a major factor in the reduced death rate and part of the reason is the message this new law sends to drivers: 'Don't do it. You'll get caught.' People have changed their behavior and we see the results in fewer dead," Moffat said. The Commission has given local law enforcement agencies approximately $3 million over the last three years for increased enforcement of DUI laws. Pedestrian deaths have also seen a drastic reduction, from 81 deaths statewide in 1990 to 56 deaths in 1999 -- a drop of 30%. Moffat attributes the reduction to increased pedestrian-focused law enforcement activity, as well as school zone safety projects now going on throughout the state. Summer months are the worst time of year for traffic fatalities and the largest numbers of fatalities occur on rural two-lane roads. The Commission is encouraging drivers to be careful, to drive sober and make sure all passengers wear seat belts. The state seat belt use rate is at 84% compared with a national average of 70%. Pedestrian Deaths and Total Traffic Deaths, 1990-1999 Washington State, King County, and Seattle WASHINGTON STATE KING COUNTY Total Pedestrian %of Total Pedestrian Traffic Pedestrian Total Traffic Traffic Pedestrian % of Total Deaths Deaths Deaths Deaths Deaths Traffic Deaths 1990 825 81 9.8% 170 not available not available 1991 683 79 11.6% 124 not available not available 1992 651 81 12.4% 123 29 23.6% 1993 661 80 12.1% 115 18 15.7% 1994 639 85 13.3% 113 29 25.7% 1995 654 75 11.5% 116 32 27.6% 1996 712 84 11.8% 131 31 23.7% 1997 674 73 10.8% 125 25 20.0% 1998 662 77 11.6% 115 27 23.5% 1999* 635 56 8.8% 97 15 15.5% Total 5,288 611 11.6% 935 206 22.0% SEATTLE Total Pedestrian % of Traffic Pedestrian Total Deaths Deaths Traffic Deaths 42 14 33.3% 29 8 27.6% 40 10 25.0% 48 8 16.7% 25 12 48.0% 39 10 25.6% 31 11 35.5% 33 8 24.2% 24 5 20.8% not not not available available available 240 64 26.7% *Preliminary figures "Source: FARS, WSP"