Recent Car Accident Statistics in the Pacific Northwest

Thousands of people in Oregon and Washington State are injured or killed in traffic crashes every year. While the causes and victims of these tragic incidents vary widely, looking at the data and finding patterns can give us some clues on common crash elements, hopefully helping us identify potential solutions and save lives. Here are a few noteworthy stats on recent crashes in the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon crashes

The Oregon Department of Transportation released its annual Traffic Crash Summary, which reported on statistics from 2022. The summary found the following:

Overall crash rates and trends

In 2022, there were 45,070 reported crashes in Oregon, resulting in 603 fatalities and 36,950 injuries. The stats show that more people died in traffic accidents in 2022 compared to the prior year (599 deaths). They reveal a worrisome upward trend in traffic-related deaths over the past five years. The tally of injuries and crashes has stayed constant, with minor annual fluctuations. For example, crashes peaked in 2018 at 50,150 but dropped significantly in 2020 (38,141 crashes), likely due to reduced traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic, before rebounding in 2021 and 2022.

Fatalities and injuries

Oregon traffic crashes killed 603 people in 2022, the highest number of deaths included in the five-year period. 2022 also saw a notable increase in pedestrian fatalities (125 deaths, up from 88 in 2021). Motorcycle-related deaths also rose, with 101 fatalities in 2022 compared to 84 in 2021. Crash-related injuries remained high, with 36,950 people injured in 2022, slightly up from 35,944 in 2021.

Pedestrian and cyclist safety

Pedestrian crashes are a growing concern in Oregon, with 801 crashes involving pedestrians reported in 2022, resulting in 125 deaths and 764 injuries. Cyclist crashes also rose in 2022, with 495 crashes involving cyclists, leading to 12 deaths and 511 injuries. These statistics underscore the vulnerability of non-motorized road users in crashes.

Distracted and impaired driving

Distracted and impaired drivers remain significant concerns in Oregon and contribute to thousands of crashes statewide. In 2022, there were 1,730 drivers involved in crashes related to driver inattention, while 174 fatal crashes involved drivers who had been drinking. There were 7,286 crashes that year involving drivers who were sick, sleepy, or distracted, highlighting the ongoing risks of fatigued and distracted driving.

Key issues

• Rising fatalities: Traffic fatalities have increased since 2020, with 2022 marking the highest number of deaths in five years.
• Pedestrian and cyclist vulnerability: Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities increased, indicating the need for improved safety measures for vulnerable road users.
• Impaired and distracted driving: Alcohol, drugs, and distraction continue to be major factors in crashes, particularly in fatal incidents.

Washington crashes

Washington State doesn’t gather its traffic crash data into one report as Oregon does. That makes it more difficult to find comprehensive statistics and analyze patterns. However, here are a few key points from the available sources.

Traffic fatalities in Washington State

According to the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission’s Fatalities Dashboard, traffic fatalities have increased sharply in recent years. There were 809 traffic deaths statewide in 2023, compared with 538 in 2019, an increase of over 50 percent in just four years. Of the 3,338 traffic deaths during that five-year period, 1,679 involved an impaired driver, which is over 50 percent of the overall fatality total.

Speeding and distracted driving are also significant factors in many Washington State traffic deaths. Of the 3,338 recorded traffic deaths from 2019-2023, 1,056 involved a speeding driver, which is a little less than one-third of fatalities over that period. Similarly, 560 traffic deaths over that same five-year period involved a distracted driver, accounting for about 17 percent of all fatalities.

Motorcycle fatalities in Washington State

Motorcycle fatalities have also risen sharply in Washington over the past few years. According to the Traffic Safety Commission’s Motorcyclist Fatalities Dashboard, the number of motorcycle deaths rose from 93 in 2019 to 139 in 2023. That’s an increase of just under 50 percent, which mirrors the increase in overall traffic deaths during that period.

About 56 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes over that five-year timespan involved a driver who was impaired, though the report doesn’t distinguish between crashes involving impaired drivers and intoxicated motorcycle riders. About 49 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes from 2019-2023 involved a speeding driver, even though there’s no data on crashes involving speeding motorcyclists vs. speeding drivers. Along similar lines, about 15 percent of motorcycle deaths over that period involved a distracted driver, though there’s no way to know whether the motorcycle rider or someone else was distracted.

Finally, it’s worth pointing out that a significant portion of fatal motorcycle crashes in Washington are single-vehicle crashes. From 2019-2023, about 37 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes were single-vehicle incidents. These figures suggest many motorcycle riders are engaging in unsafe behaviors even when no one else is around.

Tips for safe driving in Oregon and Washington State

While there’s no way to prevent all crashes in the Pacific Northwest, there are some things drivers can do to reduce accidents, such as:

• Obey speed limits: Driving too fast reduces your reaction times and increases the forces of crashes, leading to more severe injuries.
• Avoid distractions: Most importantly, put away your phone. However, other distractions like eating or even speaking to passengers can take your attention off the road.
• Never drive under the influence: Always use a designated driver or find another way home, such as a taxi or rideshare app.
• Maintain a safe following distance: Leave enough space between your car and the vehicle ahead to allow for sudden stops.
• Use turn signals and check blind spots: Checking before lane changes and using signals can help prevent sideswipe accidents.
• Drive according to weather conditions: Rain, fog, and ice make roads dangerous. Slow down and be cautious when driving in inclement weather.
• Stay alert at intersections: Many crashes happen at intersections. Never assume you are safe just because you have the right of way.

Injured in an accident? Call Philbrook Law now

If you were injured in a car accident in Oregon or Washington State, the team at Philbrook Law can manage your legal case and fight on your behalf for fair compensation. Call now or complete our contact form for a free case review.