WSP: King County Traffic Deaths Down 58% In 2019

KING COUNTY, WA — Traffic deaths on King County interstates and state routes were down 58 percent in 2019, according to Washington State Patrol data. WSP said 20 people died in crashes last year, compared to 47 deaths in 2018. Those numbers do not include crashes on surface streets in city and county jurisdictions.

WSP said the drop in fatalities on our roadways is a step in the right direction, but even one death is one too many.

"Every fatal collision affects countless lives of family, friends and others that are involved in these tragic incidents," WSP said in a news release.

Other notable trends for the year include a drop in DUI, distracted driving, speeding and HOV violations. More citations were issued for not wearing a seatbelt in 2019.

Despite the drop in DUI arrests in King County last year, Washington's statewide impaired driving rates tend to rank higher compared to other states. WSP said 47 drivers were arrested for suspected impairment in King County during the first week of 2020.