The Washington State Patrol WSP is urging drivers to be extra cautious after two rollover accidents in just two days, and many fatalities on the roads this holiday season.
From November 1 to December 27, WSP’s data shows 117 deadly crashes. This number might be even higher since the data mainly reflects crashes investigated by state patrol, not local areas.
WSP and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission issued a reminder about safe driving. They stressed that impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, and not wearing seatbelts are all dangerous choices that cause deaths every year.
As of Friday, there have been 835 deadly crashes in Washington this year. Last year, there were 810, with 78 occurring during the holiday season.
Two rollover crashes happened this week. On Thursday, a driver swerved to avoid an elk and ended up in a river. Luckily, the driver was unharmed. The next day, another driver lost control on a wet road, causing their car to flip over. Thankfully, they weren’t hurt, but the car was damaged.
WSP officials reminded drivers to be aware of the conditions, especially in snowy areas like Snoqualmie Pass, and to chain up if necessary.
To stay safe on the roads, WSP offers four important tips:
- Never drive impaired. Don’t let anyone you know drive impaired either. Last year, over half of fatal crashes in Washington involved an impaired driver.
- Slow down. Always drive at a safe speed for the conditions, even if it’s below the speed limit. Speeding was a factor in 33% of last year’s deaths.
- Stay focused. Distracted driving caused 17% of fatal crashes in 2023. Keep your eyes on the road and put your phone away.
- Wear your seatbelt. 172 of last year’s 810 traffic fatalities involved people not wearing seatbelts.
WSP urges everyone to make safe choices and get home safely this holiday season.