Together We’ll Get There This Fourth of July

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In 2022 alone, Washington state witnessed a staggering 750 fatalities caused by traffic collisions, marking the highest number of deaths in over 30 years.

Metadata
Provider: 
Business Wire, Inc.Business Wire, Inc.
Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Information
Tags: 
Vacation, Other Travel, Transportation, Destinations, Travel, McKechnie, Friends, NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fatality, Statistics, Adventure, Wheelchair, Fourth, Death, Holiday, Walking, WTSC, Distracted driving, Crash, Environment, Family, News, Safety, Ridesharing, Road
Geotags: 
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES, NORTH AMERICA
Organisation: 
WASHINGTON TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION
Summary
Key Points: 
  • In 2022 alone, Washington state witnessed a staggering 750 fatalities caused by traffic collisions, marking the highest number of deaths in over 30 years.
  • Washington has seen an uptick in distracted driving, from 6.9% in 2021 to 9.3% in 2022, based upon observation surveys.
  • Additionally, impaired driving is responsible for 50% of roadway fatalities in Washington, which occur more often in the summer and around holidays.
  • Together, let's prioritize safety and make this summer travel season a time of safe and enjoyable adventures.


As the Fourth of July approaches, travel forecasts predict significant increases in road travel as people eagerly hit the roads to visit family, friends, and loved ones, and embark on adventures to explore new destinations. Travelling safely is important to make sure everyone enjoys the holiday. In 2022 alone, Washington state witnessed a staggering 750 fatalities caused by traffic collisions, marking the highest number of deaths in over 30 years. Many of these crashes involved speeding or impaired driving. While these statistics are somber, the good news is that Washington’s drivers can prevent future tragedies by buckling up, slowing down, putting phones and other distractions away, and driving sober.

Washington has seen an uptick in distracted driving, from 6.9% in 2021 to 9.3% in 2022, based upon observation surveys. Additionally, impaired driving is responsible for 50% of roadway fatalities in Washington, which occur more often in the summer and around holidays.

"As we gear up for summer trips, let's remember the simple ways we can keep ourselves and others safe," encouraged Mark McKechnie, external relations director at the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC). "Recent increases in roadway fatalities are an important reminder of the profound impact responsible driving can have. With Independence Day approaching, let's all make the choice to practice safety on the road.”

To assist you in staying safe on the road, the WTSC offers a few simple strategies:

  • Be sure to look out for people who are walking or rolling (including people using bicycles and wheelchairs) at all times, in all places
  • Slow down and respect the speed limit
  • Turn off your phone, set it to do not disturb, or put it in airplane mode
  • If you plan to drink, plan not to drive: notify a sober friend or family member ahead of time to pick you up, or schedule a taxi or rideshare service

“By sharing the road with those who are walking or rolling and being mindful of our speed, we create a safer driving environment. People who drive cars and trucks are the biggest and fastest on the road, and you have the power to make our roads safer for everyone. So, let's make this summer a time of responsible driving, ensuring that everyone can have a safe and happy holiday," says McKechnie.

Editor’s Note #1: A WTSC spokesperson is available for interviews prior to the holiday weekend on June 26-28 and on July 3.

Editor’s Note #2: Additional data appears below as supplemental information for your use.

As background, distracted driving is more prevalent on city streets compared to highways. In 2022, all road types experienced an increase in distracted driving, with city streets witnessing a rise of 6.9% and highways seeing a relatively lower increase of 1.8%. Clark, Walla Walla, and Stevens Counties all reported the highest rates of distracted driving, with over 15% of drivers engaging in distracted behaviors. King County's rate in 2022 was below the statewide average at 7.8%, while Snohomish County and Pierce County recorded rates of 11.2% and 10.4% respectively, placing them above the average.

What’s more, a December 2022 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that alcohol-related crashes caused 14,219 fatalities and 497,000 nonfatal injuries and incurred $68.9 billion in economic costs in 2019 across the U.S. Additionally, speed is recognized as a significant contributing factor in over 20% of all traffic collisions that occur in the state of Washington.

For more tips, check out WTSC’s helpful resources at TogetherWeGetThere.com. Additional data on fatal crashes can be found on the WTSC Crash Data Dashboards. Together, let's prioritize safety and make this summer travel season a time of safe and enjoyable adventures.

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Copyright Business Wire 2023