With so fewer vehicles on the road because of COVID-19, the number of collisions in the state, counties and cities has dropped dramatically.
The number of collisions statewide dropped 67% (468 to 188), according to a report released Monday by Seattle-based law firm Davis Law Group, which analyzed and compared 2019 and 2020 Washington State Patrol weekday collision data for the third week of March.
Collisions fell 75% (739 to 183) in King County and dropped 76% (55 to 13) in Kent.
In cities and counties across Washington State traffic on roads, highways, and interstates has fallen dramatically over the past few weeks as federal, state and local officials recommended that residents stay in their homes and workers telecommute if possible, to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
As businesses and schools have closed, drivers have stayed off the roads and traffic jams have virtually disappeared, according to the report. The number of cars and trucks on the roads has drastically declined. And so has the number of motor vehicle collisions.
The number of chain reaction crashes, involving three or more vehicles, has fallen by 70%. Serious injury collisions are down by 78% and fatal collisions are down 100% year-over-year for the third week of March as 12 people died during the period in 2019 and none were killed this year.
The law firm analyzed weekday (Mon-Fri) motor vehicle collision data as reported to Washington State Patrol for the third week of March in both 2019 and 2020. Dates ranged between March 18-22, 2019 and March 16-20, 2020. Report includes data for 37 counties; 161 cities; and 75 highways in Washington State.
* 67% reduction in weekday collisions statewide (468 to 188)
* 78% reduction in weekday serious injury collisions statewide (32 to 7)
* 75% reduction in weekday collisions in King County (739 to 183)
* 55% reduction in weekday collisions in Pierce County (257 to 115)
* 76% reduction in weekday collisions in Seattle (327 to 78)
* 49% reduction in weekday collisions in Tacoma (119 to 61)
* 76% reduction in weekday collisions in Kent (55 to 13)
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