SEATTLE, Wash. — From street racing to rollovers, we’re closing out a deadly and dangerous year on Washington roads.
“It’s very frustrating,” State Trooper Chelsea DeHart, who sees the threats firsthand each week.
“Unfortunately, we almost always see our impaired drivers on the road or people with excessive speed,” says Trooper DeHart. “And that just adds to the possibility of collisions.”
Despite the continued dangers, new data shows real roadway improvements.
Washington State Patrol investigated 45 roadway shootings in King County this year. That number is down from 57 shootings in 2023 and 53 roadway shootings in 2022.
Statewide, overall crashes have also decreased, along with deadly crashes.
According to Washington’s Traffic Safety Commission, 809 people killed were killed on Washington roads in 2023.
At the end of November, there were 645 reported traffic fatalities recorded in 2024.
Despite some necessary improvements, Trooper DeHart is urging safety and intention as drivers roll in to 2025.
“Our goal is always zero fatality collisions,” says Trooper DeHart. “But that also falls on the people and citizens of Washington to ensure that they’re driving safe, they’re not speeding to excess, they’re not getting behind the wheel drugged or impaired.”
©2024 Cox Media Group
