Although both Clallam and Jefferson counties had fewer traffic deaths on public roads in 2008 than in 2007, neither can make the claim that the state can: Deadly vehicle crashes statewide were at their lowest level in more than 50 years.
Preliminary statistics show 522 traffic-related deaths in 2008 on the state’s public roads — which is the lowest total since 1955, when 461 people died, the state Traffic Safety Commission said Tuesday.
The state commission provided records for North Olympic Peninsula counties going back only 15 years, to 1993, when both Clallam and Jefferson counties had fewer deaths on public roads than they did in 2008.
Clallam County had 7 traffic deaths last year — down from 14 in 2007 — but higher than the six tallied in 1993.
Jefferson County also had 7 deaths on its roads last year. While that figure is down from 2007’s total of 9, its 2008 traffic death tally is higher than the four counted in 1993.
The commission won’t make last year’s numbers official until Dec. 31, which means they could climb higher.
While Clallam County did not set any records last year, it did beat its average of 11 for the 15 previous years.
Jefferson County, on the other hand, met its 15-year average of 7 in 2008.
Over the same time period, Clallam County had the most traffic deaths in 2001 with 16, and Jefferson County saw the most in 1999 with 10.
Officials encouraged
When looking at the state’s figures for last year, police and transportation officials said they’re encouraged by the overall downward trend in crashes, serious injuries and deaths while more and more people get on the road.
The number of traffic deaths per 100 million miles traveled was 0.94 last year. That is slightly down from the fatality rate of 1 in 2007 and about half the 1990 rate of 1.85 deaths.
Better roads, driver education campaigns and strong enforcement of safety laws, including tough seat belt rules, were all cited as contributing factors to the state’s lower death rate.
The state, with 96.5 percent compliance, has the third-highest seat-belt use rating in the nation, the commission said.
Michigan and Hawaii are the top states for seat belt use.
Not wearing a seat belt can cost a Washington state driver $124 in fines.
“We have been strictly enforcing the state’s seat belt law, and that appears to be paying dividends,” said State Patrol Chief John Batiste in a prepared statement, adding that advances in emergency medical care are also helping to reduce the number of fatalities.
“My troopers are witnessing miracles at the side of the road,” Batiste said. “Paramedics are saving people who just a few years ago would have certainly become statistics.”
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
