As of 2019, Washington had 167,632 miles of road. MoneyGeek’s analysis looked at 819 of the state’s roads to determine its deadliest. The study examined the ways distracted driving, speeding, drunk driving, seasonality and weather contributed to the 1,518 fatal crashes in Washington from 2017–2019. We also summarized data for each county in the state, including the deadliest road in each county.
Washington Fatal Accident Study:
Where Are Washington’s Deadliest Roads, and What Factors Contribute Most to its Fatal Accidents?
MoneyGeek analyzed 1,518 fatal crashes from 2017–2019 to find the deadliest roads in Washington and the factors — distracted driving, speeding, wintry conditions and drunk driving — contributing to those accidents.
Erin C. Perkins
Finance Writer & Editor
Erin C. Perkins is a finance writer at MoneyGeek, with 15 years of experience in the media industry. She has covered topics about money, including banking, insurance and budgeting for several publications over the years. Perkins has a master's degree in magazine journalism from Kent State University and a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Winston-Salem State University.
MoneyGeek is dedicated to providing trustworthy information to help you make informed financial decisions. Each article is edited, fact-checked and reviewed by industry professionals to ensure quality and accuracy.
Editorial Policy and StandardsUpdated: October 3, 2024
Featured Expert:
Doug Milnes, CFA
Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets. Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
Erin C. Perkins
Finance Writer & Editor
Erin C. Perkins is a finance writer at MoneyGeek, with 15 years of experience in the media industry. She has covered topics about money, including banking, insurance and budgeting for several publications over the years. Perkins has a master's degree in magazine journalism from Kent State University and a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Winston-Salem State University.
MoneyGeek is dedicated to providing trustworthy information to help you make informed financial decisions. Each article is edited, fact-checked and reviewed by industry professionals to ensure quality and accuracy.
Editorial Policy and StandardsUpdated: October 3, 2024
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Findings:
- Aurora Avenue (SR-99) in Seattle is the deadliest stretch of road in Washington.
- 33% of fatal accidents were related to drunk driving.
- Speeding contributed to 31% of accidents.
- Distracted driving was involved in 24% of accidents.
- The month of July had the highest number of fatal accidents.
- King had the most fatal accidents of any county.
The 10 Most Deadly Stretches of Road in Washington
1. Aurora Ave (SR-99) Between N. Winona Ave and N. 155th St.
Seattle, Shoreline
Key Takeaways
Fatal Accidents: 9
Fatalities: 9
Fatal Accidents Per Mile: 2.2
Pacific Hwy (SR-99) Between S. 252nd St. to S. 176th St.
Des Moines, Seatac, Kent
Key Takeaways
Fatal Accidents: 9
Fatalities: 9
Fatal Accidents Per Mile: 1.8
I-5 Between S. 96 St. and Exit 133
Tacoma, Lakewood Center
Key Takeaways
Fatal Accidents: 8
Fatal Accidents: 8
Fatal Accidents Per Mile: 1.6
I-5 Between Exit 119 (Steilacoom-Dupont Rd.) and Exit 124 (Gravelly Lake Dr.)
Lakewood Center, Lakewood
Key Takeaways
Fatal Accidents: 6
Fatalities: 8
Fatal Accidents Per Mile: 1.3
Pacific Highway SR-99 From S. 16th Ave to S. 263rd St.
Federal Way, Kent
Key Takeaways
Fatal Accidents: 6
Fatalities: 6
Fatal Accidents Per Mile: 1.2
SR-167 Between Tacoma Junction and N.W. 11st
Tacoma, Puyallup
Key Takeaways
Fatal Accidents: 6
Fatalities: 6
Fatal Accidents Per Mile: 1.2
SR-181 Between W. Meeker St. and S. 180th St.
Tukwila, Kent
Key Takeaways
Fatal Accidents: 6
Fatalities: 6
Fatal Accidents Per Mile: 1.3
SR-516 Between WA-167 Interchange and S. Military Rd.
Kent
Key Takeaways
Fatal Accidents: 5
Fatalities: 6
Fatal Accidents Per Mile: 2.6
I-5 From Exit 137 to Exit 142A
Federal Way, Milton
Key Takeaways
Fatal Accidents: 5
Fatalities: 5
Fatal Accidents Per Mile: 1.5
I-5 From Exit 14 (Pioneer St. Ridgefield) to Exit 16
Ridgefield, La Center
Key Takeaways
Fatal Accidents: 5
Fatalities: 5
Fatal Accidents Per Mile: 1.4
Drunk Driving Involved in 33% of Fatal Accidents
From 2017 to 2019, drunk driving contributed to 500 of the 1,518 total fatal accidents in Washington. During those three years, drunk driving outnumbered fatal accidents that involved distracted driving (367), speeding (468) and winter conditions (37).
Even a small amount of alcohol can affect your driving abilities — at just 0.02% blood alcohol concentration (BAC), you can experience some loss of judgment and visible impairment. In Washington, you’re considered legally intoxicated if your BAC reaches 0.08%.
Even when it doesn’t lead to a fatal accident, the costs of drunk driving are extensive and long-lasting, including license suspension, restricted driving privileges, court fines and attorney fees, possible jail time, and less affordable auto insurance rates in Washington. In particular, SR-22 insurance in Washington is significantly more expensive than all other types of coverage.
Speeding Is a Factor in 31% of Deadly Crashes
Speeding contributed to 468 fatal accidents in Washington during a three-year period. That accounts for almost one-third — or 31% — of fatal accidents from 2017 to 2019. Speeding isn’t just about breaking the law — drivers may lose control of their cars, decrease stopping distance from danger ahead and increase crash severity and potential injuries when driving over the speed limit.
Distracted Driving Contributed to 24% of Fatal Accidents
Distracted driving resulted in 367 fatal crashes from 2017–2019. That accounts for nearly a quarter — or 24% — of distracted driving-related accidents in Washington. Distracted driving behaviors like texting, changing the radio station, talking on the phone or even talking to a passenger are potentially dangerous. A study by MoneyGeek ranked Washington as the sixth-worst state for distracted driving.
July Had More Deadly Accidents Than Any Other Month
In Washington, July had the highest number of fatal accidents of any month, with 12.3% of fatal crashes occurring during that time of year. That accounts for 182 fatal accidents during the three years assessed. The majority of those fatal crashes (74) were attributed to speeding. August had the second-highest rate of fatal accidents (9.2%), followed by December (9%).
Average Fatal Accidents By Month: 2017–2019
Month | Fatal
Accidents | Drunk
Driving Related | Distracted
Driving Related | Winter
Conditions | Speeding Related | % of
Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | 121 | 34 | 31 | 11 | 27 | 7.83% |
February | 87 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 32 | 5.80% |
March | 114 | 40 | 30 | 4 | 38 | 7.40% |
April | 92 | 32 | 23 | 1 | 28 | 6.11% |
May | 120 | 35 | 37 | 0 | 37 | 8.08% |
June | 132 | 62 | 25 | 0 | 54 | 8.88% |
July | 182 | 67 | 40 | 0 | 74 | 12.28% |
August | 135 | 44 | 33 | 0 | 28 | 9.19% |
September | 132 | 48 | 30 | 1 | 33 | 8.33% |
October | 135 | 43 | 27 | 0 | 43 | 8.82% |
November | 127 | 30 | 38 | 2 | 34 | 8.27% |
December | 141 | 42 | 37 | 9 | 40 | 9.01% |
Driving Safely Protects You, Others and Your Wallet
Responsible driving reduces your risk of accidents and injuring others, but it can also benefit you financially. In the event of an accident, car insurance is essential to help keep you and your family protected from huge expenses. An affordable full coverage auto insurance policy can take care of any property or bodily injury costs that may arise.
The average cost of auto insurance in Washington is $1,264. However, rates can vary based on where you live. For example, car insurance in Tacoma costs $1,358, while auto insurance in Spokane is $1,050, on average. That’s a difference of $308. Car insurance in Seattle — the state's largest city — costs $1,312, on average.
These rates are only averages, and your car insurance premiums can vary based on your age, driving record, type of car, age of vehicle and more. Comparing quotes from different insurance providers can help you find the cheapest car insurance company.
Fatal Accidents and Most Dangerous Roads: County Breakdown
The five counties in Washington with the most fatal accidents had 783 such crashes in a three-year period. That’s over half of the deadly accidents that occurred in the state.
King County had a total of 308 fatal accidents, the most of any county from 2017 to 2019. The majority of these accidents happened on State Route 99 and were largely the result of drunk driving (100) or speeding (98).
Fatal Accidents and Contributing Factors By County: 2017–2019
County | Fatalities | Fatal Accidents | Drunk Driving Related | Distracted Driving Related | Speeding Related | Most Deadly
Road (Fatal Accidents) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
King | 325 | 308 | 100 | 64 | 98 | SR-99 (30) |
Pierce | 177 | 167 | 56 | 45 | 60 | I-5 (16) |
Snohomish | 123 | 116 | 36 | 30 | 37 | I-5 (16) |
Spokane | 102 | 99 | 38 | 27 | 30 | US-2 (12) |
Yakima | 103 | 93 | 32 | 16 | 21 | I-82 (9) |
Clark | 88 | 80 | 25 | 17 | 34 | I-5 (10) |
Thurston | 66 | 63 | 23 | 16 | 22 | I-5 (5) |
Whatcom | 53 | 49 | 13 | 14 | 22 | I-5 (11) |
Kitsap | 46 | 46 | 13 | 11 | 17 | SR-3 (7) |
Grant | 49 | 45 | 14 | 17 | 12 | SR-17 (8) |
Skagit | 47 | 43 | 14 | 10 | 8 | I-5 (10) |
Benton | 41 | 39 | 14 | 5 | 9 | I-82 (8) |
Cowlitz | 39 | 35 | 12 | 10 | 12 | SR-504 (5) |
Lewis | 33 | 31 | 11 | 9 | 2 | US-12 (7) |
Okanogan | 31 | 28 | 13 | 10 | 6 | US-97 (6) |
Kittitas | 29 | 26 | 6 | 4 | 8 | I-90 (16) |
Grays Harbor | 25 | 24 | 8 | 8 | 7 | US-12 (5) |
Franklin | 25 | 23 | 7 | 6 | 6 | US-395 (7) |
Adams | 24 | 22 | 4 | 5 | 9 | I-90 (6) |
Mason | 19 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 6 | SR-3 (5) |
Chelan | 17 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 4 | US-97 (3) |
Clallam | 17 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 2 | US-101 (8) |
Stevens | 16 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 3 | US-395 (9) |
Jefferson | 17 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 5 | US-101 (4) |
Island | 15 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | SR-20 (3) |
Whitman | 15 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 1 | US-195 (3) |
Klickitat | 13 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 1 | Cr-Glenwood Hwy (2) |
Walla Walla | 11 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 3 | SR-125 (2) |
Lincoln | 10 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 3 | US-2 (3) |
Skamania | 7 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | SR-14 (5) |
Ferry | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | US-395 (2) |
Pend Oreille | 8 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | US-2 (2) |
Pacific | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | US-101 (3) |
Douglas | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Cr-Rd M Nw (1) |
Garfield | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | US-12 (3) |
Asotin | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Cr-Ben Johnson Rd (1) |
Columbia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | US-12 (2) |
San Juan | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Cr-Egg Lake Rd (1) |
Wahkiakum | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | SR-4 (1) |
Methodology
MoneyGeek analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS (fatal accident reporting system) database using fatality data from 2017, 2018 and 2019. Currently, 2019 is the latest data available in the system.
About Erin C. Perkins
Erin C. Perkins is a finance writer at MoneyGeek, with 15 years of experience in the media industry. She has covered topics about money, including banking, insurance and budgeting for several publications over the years.
Perkins has a master's degree in magazine journalism from Kent State University and a bachelor's degree in mass communications from Winston-Salem State University.
sources
- National Highway Safety Administration. "Fatal Accident and Reporting System (FARS)." Accessed March 3, 2021.
- U.S. Department of Transportation. "Highway Statistics Series." Accessed July 13, 2021.