Fatal Roads

States › Washington › 2017

2017

Washington · year

Washington in 2017

Deaths 563Fatal crashes 534Per 100,000 7.6US deaths 37,473

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 2017.

In 2017, 563 people died in 534 fatal crashes in Washington, 7.6 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.5 nationally.

The death toll rose 5% from 536 in 2016 to 563 in 2017.

Washington accounted for 1.5% of the 37,473 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

31.8% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (32%).

30% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 2016 and the nation

MeasureWashington 2017Washington 2016United States 2017
Deaths56353637,473
Fatal crashes53450434,560
Deaths per 100,000 residents7.67.311.5
Crashes with a drinking driver32%31%27%

Counties in 2017

Every county with a fatal crash in 2017, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 35 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
King County1101114.71,260
Pierce County54566.0794
Yakima County424718.2405
Snohomish County39424.9474
Spokane County38417.4432
Clark County28285.3324
Whatcom County212410.2150
Thurston County19196.3219
Kitsap County17176.0177
Grant County141615.3208
Benton County14156.9177
Lewis County131416.1113
Clallam County111215.466
Cowlitz County111210.5125
Kittitas County111224.9106
Skagit County11118.3150
Okanogan County91124.586
Adams County101047.575
Grays Harbor County101012.892
Franklin County9109.981
Whitman County7816.543
Mason County668.6115
Island County455.866
Stevens County448.268
Klickitat County3312.434
Lincoln County3325.339
Chelan County1–21–2—71
Ferry County1–21–2—25
Garfield County1–21–2—8
Jefferson County1–21–2—54
Pend Oreille County1–21–2—28
Skamania County1–21–2—37
Walla Walla County1–21–2—51
Asotin County1–21–2—13
Douglas County1–21–2—41

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

12am3.6%
1am3.2%
2am5.1%
3am3.8%
4am3%
5am3.8%
6am3.2%
7am3%
8am2.8%
9am2.6%
10am2.8%
11am3.9%
12pm3%
1pm3.6%
2pm4.3%
3pm7.3%
4pm6.2%
5pm4.7%
6pm6.6%
7pm4.9%
8pm5.6%
9pm5.1%
10pm3.4%
11pm4.5%

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday15%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday15%
Thursday10%
Friday16%
Saturday17%

Road type

Other principal arterial32%
Minor arterial19%
Major collector19%
Interstate15%
Local9%
Minor collector5%
Other freeways and expressways1%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Washington in 2017?

563 people in 534 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2017 file, or 7.6 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Washington had the most crash deaths in 2017?

King County with 111 deaths in 110 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2017 compare with 2016 in Washington?

563 deaths against 536 in 2016 (+5%). Nationally the 2017 total was 37,473.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2017 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.