There’s good news and bad news about roadway safety. Overall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the nation saw 3.6% fewer traffic fatalities between 2022 and 2023 than in the previous year. However, vehicle-related deaths in the state of Washington actually rose 11% during that time period.
In general, fatal car accidents have been increasing in this state since 2019, with no sign that things are getting better, despite efforts at improving driver safety through the state’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, known as “Target Zero.”
What’s going on?
Experts are a little mystified at the trend because they still don’t have hard evidence from enough directions to have a clear theory. Some ideas include:
- Increased driver aggression: The events of the last few years – politically, socially and economically – have people on edge. The stress may be showing itself through more incidents of road rage and aggressive driving.
- Distracted driving: Despite attempts by the state to eliminate or reduce distracted driving, the issue is still a big one. The authorities have been on a campaign to educate drivers about the cognitive, visual and manual distractions posed by technology, especially cellphones and airpods, but human behavior is notoriously hard to change.
- Fatigued driving: A lot of drivers are stressed out and exhausted. Many are working side gigs and second jobs to afford essentials. Fatigued driving has the potential to be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
- Drugged driving: Some people blame the legalization of recreational cannabis in the state for increased incidents of drugged driving, although it’s unclear how often that is a factor in fatal accidents.
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a car accident, tailored legal guidance can help you understand your rights and options for recovery.