OLYMPIA, Wash. — The number of people killed on Washington roads and highways continues to increase and could motivate lawmakers to seek legislative solutions.
According to preliminary figures released by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, 800 people died in traffic crashes in 2023, up from 742 in 2022.
If the state confirms 800 died in 2023, that would be the highest figure since 1990.
Governor Jay Inslee said the numbers should inspire legislators to pass laws like expanding the use of speed detection cameras and lowering the state’s blood alcohol content threshold for determining when a driver is impaired from .08 to .05.
