Declining but still unacceptable fatality counts and fatality rates
The historical trend over decades showed motor vehicle fatalities in Washington State steadily increasing to more than 1,000 persons per year in 1979. But since then the fatality toll has declined to the mid 600 range in the years 1998 to 2005. In 2003, Washington hit the 600 mark. This number was down even more for 2004 with 567 fatalities. For 2005, the number jumped 14% to 647.
Fatality rates are commonly expressed as deaths (the numerator) per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (the denominator). Because the denominator – the amount of driving – has grown so fast and far, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) has tended to steadily decline from 1915 forward.
Washington Motor Vehicle Total Fatalities & Fatality Rates*
1910 - 2005
*Fatalities include motor vehicle drivers and occupants, pedestrians, and bicyclists killed on roadways.
Source: WSDOT Transportation Data Office
Source Data: Washington Motor Vehicle Total Fatalities and Fatality Rates
Since 1980, the annual fatality rates per 100 million VMT in Washington State have consistently been slightly below the national average and have closely tracked a downward national trend.
Motor Vehicle Fatality Rates in Washington Compared to the National Average
Fatalities Per 100 Million VMT: 1980 - 2006
Provided by: WSDOT Transportation Data Office
Sources: US Fatalities/VMT: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts; WA Fatalities: FARS; State Hwy Fatalities: WSDOT-TDO; WA VMT: WSDOT-TDO
Click here for Source Data
Since VMT has grown almost twice as fast as population, the decline in annual fatality rate in relation to VMT is more pronounced than the decline in fatality rate per capita.
Percent Decline in Rate of Fatalities Per 100 Million VMT
Compared to Percent Decline in Rate of Fatalities Per Capita
1980 - 2005: 1980 = 1.00
In 2006, Washington State ranked tenth in the nation for fewest traffic fatalities in relation to population. That means Washington's average is about 10 traffic fatalities out of every 100,000 people. The national average is just more than 14 traffic fatalities out of 100,000 people. Compare this to Washington's traffic fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled and the ranking is not much different. Washington is ranked 10th in the nation for traffic fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
Rate of Fatalities Per Capita in the U.S.
Traffic Fatalities per 100,000 Population in 2006
