Washington Sees Second Year of Decline in Traffic Deaths, 2025 Preliminary Data Show
Washington experienced a 33-year high in traffic deaths in 2023, when 809 people were killed in motor-vehicle collisions. According to preliminary 2025 data, there were 659 traffic fatalities, which represented a 10.5 percent decrease from 2024, and an 18 percent decrease from 2023.
“These fatalities remain above pre-pandemic counts, but it is encouraging to see this decrease,” said Dr. Staci Hoff, Research and Data Director at the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC).
“There were reductions across almost all behaviors and populations, with the exception of older drivers (70+) involved in fatal crashes, which reached another all-time high of 112 in 2025,” Dr. Hoff added.
The WTSC cautions that the new data are preliminary and subject to change. Data on alcohol and drug impairment, in particular, are likely to change as additional toxicology results become available. According to available information, alcohol was the most common impairing drug, found in 57% of impaired drivers, followed by cannabis (delta-9 THC, 22%) and methamphetamine (8%).
One of the most disturbing trends has been the high number of pedestrian deaths. 2023 saw an all-time high number of pedestrians killed (160 deaths). These numbers remain high, with 2024 and 2025 representing the second and third highest annual fatality numbers, with 158 and 148 pedestrians killed, respectively.
Still, there are welcome signs of improvement in safety on Washington roads. Among other vulnerable road users, 2024 and 2025 each saw 12 bicyclist deaths, down from a peak of 17 in 2023. After increasing dramatically, motorcyclist deaths have fallen from 142 in 2023, to 113 in 2024 and 103 last year.
The number of fatalities involving a speeding driver fell from 270 in 2023 to 189 in 2025. Fatalities involving a distracted driver also declined from 136 to 103.
Young drivers, ages 15-24, are disproportionately involved in serious and fatal crashes, yet the number of fatalities involving a young driver also decreased from 235 to 170 deaths.
“It is a relief to see fewer people killed in 2024 and 2025. But our goal is zero. One person killed is too many,” said WTSC Director Shelly Baldwin. “The ‘fatal four’ high-risk behaviors – impairment, speed, distraction, and lack of seat belt use – are involved in most of our traffic fatalities. As we approach the summer months, when we traditionally see traffic fatalities increase, I want to implore everyone on our roadways to drive sober, follow the speed limit, stay focused, and buckle up,” Baldwin said.
For more information, you can find preliminary 2025 data, as well as traffic fatality data for Washington during the last decade (2016-2025) at: Data Dashboards – Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
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