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"