States › Washington › 2003
Washington in 2003
Deaths 600Fatal crashes 539Per 100,000 9.8US deaths 42,884
FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 2003.
In 2003, 600 people died in 539 fatal crashes in Washington, 9.8 deaths per 100,000 residents against 14.8 nationally.
The death toll fell 9% from 658 in 2002 to 600 in 2003.
Washington accounted for 1.4% of the 42,884 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.
41.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.
31% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Sunday was the most common day.
Compared with 2002 and the nation
| Measure | Washington 2003 | Washington 2002 | United States 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 600 | 658 | 42,884 |
| Fatal crashes | 539 | 586 | 38,477 |
| Deaths per 100,000 residents | 9.8 | 10.9 | 14.8 |
| Crashes with a drinking driver | 41% | 45% | 35% |
Counties in 2003
Every county with a fatal crash in 2003, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 38 counties listed.
| County | Fatal crashes | Deaths | Per 100,000 | Deaths 2015–2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | 98 | 105 | 4.5 | 1,260 |
| Pierce County | 61 | 67 | 7.1 | 794 |
| Snohomish County | 41 | 47 | 5.4 | 474 |
| Spokane County | 29 | 29 | 5.2 | 432 |
| Yakima County | 26 | 27 | 10.4 | 405 |
| Thurston County | 24 | 27 | 8.9 | 219 |
| Grant County | 20 | 25 | 23.9 | 208 |
| Skagit County | 20 | 21 | 15.8 | 150 |
| Lewis County | 14 | 21 | 24.1 | 113 |
| Clark County | 17 | 18 | 3.4 | 324 |
| Kitsap County | 13 | 14 | 5.0 | 177 |
| Kittitas County | 13 | 14 | 29.1 | 106 |
| Whatcom County | 13 | 14 | 6.0 | 150 |
| Stevens County | 11 | 14 | 28.6 | 68 |
| Okanogan County | 13 | 13 | 28.9 | 86 |
| Chelan County | 12 | 13 | 16.0 | 71 |
| Mason County | 11 | 12 | 17.2 | 115 |
| Grays Harbor County | 10 | 11 | 14.1 | 92 |
| Adams County | 9 | 11 | 52.3 | 75 |
| Benton County | 9 | 9 | 4.1 | 177 |
| Douglas County | 9 | 9 | 19.7 | 41 |
| Jefferson County | 6 | 9 | 26.5 | 54 |
| Walla Walla County | 8 | 8 | 12.9 | 51 |
| Cowlitz County | 7 | 8 | 7.0 | 125 |
| Clallam County | 6 | 8 | 10.3 | 66 |
| Klickitat County | 5 | 7 | 29.0 | 34 |
| Island County | 6 | 6 | 6.9 | 66 |
| Pend Oreille County | 4 | 5 | 34.9 | 28 |
| Franklin County | 4 | 4 | 4.0 | 81 |
| Pacific County | 4 | 4 | 16.5 | 28 |
| San Juan County | 3 | 4 | 21.4 | 11 |
| Ferry County | 1–2 | 4 | 53.0 | 25 |
| Skamania County | 3 | 3 | 23.7 | 37 |
| Columbia County | 1–2 | 3 | 74.5 | 5 |
| Wahkiakum County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 6 |
| Whitman County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 43 |
| Asotin County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 13 |
| Lincoln County | 1–2 | 1–2 | — | 39 |
Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.
Hour of day
Weekday
Questions and answers
How many people died in crashes in Washington in 2003?
600 people in 539 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2003 file, or 9.8 per 100,000 residents.
Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 2003?
King County with 105 deaths in 98 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.
How did 2003 compare with 2002 in Washington?
600 deaths against 658 in 2002 (+-9%). Nationally the 2003 total was 42,884.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2003 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.