March 14, 2025

Vancouver, WA – On Thursday, March 13th, over 70 individuals gathered at the Washington State Patrol (WSP) District Headquarters in Vancouver to discuss traffic safety issues and how they impact different demographic groups in Washington. WSP Chief John R. Batiste welcomed attendees and shared that fatal collisions in the state are far too high and cut across all racial, regional, gender, and age groups. He told those assembled, “We need your help to understand this growing problem and help us change dangerous driving behaviors that impact us all.”

Over 40 local citizens attended, including several students from local high schools as well as representatives from city and county government, police agencies, tribes, and state agencies. Chief Batiste was especially happy to see the students in attendance and shared a direct message, “We are glad you are here, and we want to be always glad you are here. Far too many young people lose their lives on our highways so the issues we are discussing today – distracted driving, impaired driving, driving too fast, and without a seatbelt – are really all about you, your safety and your futures.”

Issues discussed included road-user rights and responsibilities, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roadway design, and post-crash response services. A few troubling statistics were shared. Fatalities tied to distracted driving were up 36.4% in 2023 and all vehicular fatalities were up by 9% that same year with 810 fatalities on our state’s roadways. An early review of 2024 data shows only slight improvement as the numbers are still higher than in the past, affecting every racial and age demographic, but particularly drivers between the ages of 18 and 25.

Local troopers, along with representatives from WSDOT, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Target Zero, and local city government worked in small groups with members of the public to review the data and discuss ways to change poor driver behavior and improve safety conditions so that the rising numbers can be suppressed. This was a pilot project coordinated by WSP’s Office of Cultural Engagement and will be replicated in each of the agency’s eight districts across Washington.

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Release sent by Chris Loftis, Director of Communications