The number of people who have lost their lives in auto accidents has been on the rise across the nation in recent years. Seattle and King County are included. A primary reason for the increase in deaths has been speeding and recklessness.
This has gotten progressively worse in the area with legislators, officials and law enforcement planning steps to address it. People fearful about the growing risk should know how to stay safe and understand the available steps if they are injured or lose a loved one in this type of accident.
A new police unit will focus on felony traffic violations
King County has seen its road fatality numbers spike since 2018. However, they have gotten far worse since 2021 when the number rose to 126 from 107 the previous year. In 2022, there were 146 deaths. Overall, there was an 39% increase in road deaths throughout Washington from 2019 and 2022. Speed and impaired driving were factors in many of the collisions in both King County and the entire state.
Ironically, the fatality numbers started to increase while people were still adapting to the national health crisis with many working from home, canceling leisure activities and their time on the road was limited. It is believed that fewer vehicles on the road gave some drivers the freedom to drive at excessive speed and they have not tamped down on the behavior now that people are taking to the road at past levels.
When there is an accident and people are injured or lose their lives, prosecutors might pursue a felony charge of vehicular assault or vehicular homicide. The objective is to dissuade drivers from acting irresponsibly and selfishly with their driving and putting others in jeopardy. Another tactic that is being considered is adding more speed cameras to catch drivers who go beyond the speed limits.
Even with greater enforcement, the dangers remain
While these plans are well crafted and make sense, it is exceedingly unlikely that it will stop certain drivers from breaking the law. With that, people will still face the prospect of catastrophic injuries and loss of life in an auto accident.
Those impacted by a crash need to understand the ramifications including medical costs, lost income, diminished ability to participate in family activities and more. When there is fatality, these challenges are exponentially worse and knowing what can be done in the aftermath is imperative.