Motor Vehicle Safety

When behind the wheel of a car, alone or with passengers, driving safely should always be a top concern.

Motor Vehicle Safety

Motor vehicle crashes are a public health concern both in the United States and abroad. In the United States, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death, and kill over 100 people every day. However, motor vehicle crash injuries and deaths are preventable. There are proven strategies that can help prevent these injuries and deaths. Whether you are a driver, passenger, cyclist, or pedestrian, you can take steps to stay safe on the road.

Driving Safety Tips:

  • Buckle up! Ensure all occupants are also properly seat belted before driving.
  • Focus on driving and the road: Ignore distractions while driving, such as the use of a hand-held cell phone or watching videos while driving.
  • Follow posted speed limits: Slow down as necessary in adverse weather and around vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Increase following distance: Especially in adverse weather or low light conditions.
  • Always choose to drive sober!

Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC); Washington State Patrol (WSP); Target Zero

Driving while impaired by any substance is dangerous and illegal.

Motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers kill one person every 45 minutes in the United States. That’s 32 people every day.

Encouraging drivers to make wise choices on the road is crucial, especially with the increase in fatal accidents across Washington State in recent years. According to early data from the Washington State Traffic Commission (WTSC), there have been nearly as many fatal accidents up to September 2023 (578) as there were during the same period in 2022 (582), which marked a 32-year peak in fatal accidents across Washington State.

In Washington State:

  • It is illegal to drive with a BAC (Blood alcohol concentration) at or above 0.08%
  • Publicized sobriety checkpoints are not allowed
  • Ignition interlocks are required for all (including first-time) convicted offenders

Across Our Nation:

The U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) work to eliminate risky driving behaviors and improve roadway safety for everyone.

Learn more about Risky Driving Behaviors & Roadway Safety >>

Source: Target Zero, CDC, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), Washington State Traffic Commission (WTSC), U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

SHARE these impaired driving messages on social media & use the hashtags:

#ThinkBeforeYouDrive

The Big Game

Just like the pros game plan, if your sporting event “watch party” involves alcohol, you need your own sober and safe ride home! Make a game plan-

Home for the Holidays

The ‘Home for the Holidays’ traffic safety campaign is a collaborative effort between the Washington State Patrol (WSP), Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), and allied law enforcement agencies across the state focused on encouraging drivers to take extra precautions in adverse weather conditions often seen during the fall and winter months.

The educational campaign spans from the end of October through New Year’s Eve. Historically, the WSP observes an increase in all collision types during this time frame, as well as an increase in impaired drivers on our roadways.

Source: Washington State Patrol and Target Zero

Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving has become a deadly epidemic on America’s roadways. Each day, we all face dangerous risks. When you’re behind the wheel your only job is to drive. Commit to distraction-free driving today!

Learn more, spread the word, and take the pledge >>

Booster & Car Seat Guides

BoosterSeat.org offers tips for choosing the right car seat or booster seat, following Washington’s booster seat laws, and accessing local and national resources.

Available in English and Spanish.

Resources

  • Boosterseat.org: Offers tips for choosing the right car seat or booster seat, following Washington’s booster seat laws, and accessing local and national resources. Available in English and Spanish.
  • Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC): Find information and resources to help keep you and your family safe on the road. Learn about bike helmets and bike safety, car seats, seatbelts, and more.
  • WA State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): Whether you’re commuting, road-tripping or driving commercially, we have information to help you plan your route. See real-time alerts, live cameras, current travel times, and bridge and road restrictions for cars and trucks.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Learn more about child passenger safety, seat belt requirements, teen driving tips, and more.
  • DriveitHOME app by National Safety Council (NSC): Get involved with your teen behind the wheel and provide the experience they need to stay safe. This FREE app is designed by NSC for parents of new teen drivers to log practice hours and share ideas for weekly driving lessons. Includes instructional videos to keep your teen’s progress on track. Download today >>

Downloadables

Visit our Digital Resource Center to learn more about Motor Vehicle Safety and Distracted Driving Awareness — plus, more injury and violence prevention topics year-round!