Alcohol, speed fatalities on the rise

Posted in Firm News, Motor Vehicle Accidents on April 14, 2019

Like many residents in Washington State, you may be watching the development of autonomous vehicle technology carefully. A major benefit touted as a primary reason for these vehicles is the elimination of human-caused accidents. In looking at statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it may seem that this is a big need indeed.

Driving after consuming alcohol and exceeding the speed limit are two things that every driver has the conscious choice not to do. Yet, it appears there remain many selfish people who refuse to make the safe choice. Between 2016 and 2017, vehicular fatalities involving alcohol or speed jumped across the state and in King County. Statewide, there were 160 drunk driving deaths recorded in 2016. That number increased to 178 in 2017. Deaths involving speed rose from 154 in 2016 to 172 in 2017.

In looking at data for King County alone, the same trend is unfortunately evident. Drunk drivers claimed the lives of 25 people in 2016. In 2017, 41 people in the county lost their lives at the hands of drunk drivers. Deaths in which speed was found to be a contributing factor rose from 30 in 2016 to 41 in 2017. These numbers highlight the need for continued vigilance and action when a driver makes the reckless choice to put other people in harm’s way.

If you would like to learn more about the process of pursuing compensation after you or a family member has been involved in an accident caused by a drunk or speeding driver, please feel free to visit the crash assistance page our speak to one of our Seattle personal injury and car accident lawyers today.