Some Of The Worst Drivers In The Nation Are Found In Seattle, Washington, According To A New Study
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published November 06, 2023
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Andrea Verschuyl
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Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
Shocking no one who’s ever white-knuckled through Emerald City traffic, recent studies have confirmed that, yes, our roads really are that bad. Seattle drivers are the worst. In fact, they’re some of the worst in the country. But as we anticipate upcoming getaways and pack for in-state road trips, it’s worth asking: Is this problem limited to Seattle or have driving conditions worsened across Washington?
Known for its shocking beauty, vibrant culture, and enviable culinary scene, Seattle has quickly become one of the country's most desirable cities. Synonymous with its skyline is busy Elliot Bay, usually dotted with cargo ships and idyllic passenger ferries, iconic mainstays of Puget Sound waters. But unfortunately, while traveling the coastline remains jaw-dropping, commuting on land has increasingly grown hair-raising.
For new drivers, learning to navigate local roads is an exercise in chaos. Seattle's aforementioned desirability has attracted an influx of new residents — an estimated 236 people each day — clogging what was already a flawed city grid. But downtrodden locals can't blame newcomers alone for the 13,000 crashes reported each year.
Gridlock aside, gas prices are soaring, car maintenance costs are rising, and hapless commuters can expect to spend far more hours than average driving in the rain.
Some intersections in Seattle have gone viral for frequent collisions. 7th Ave gained nationwide infamy after a local man began filming the routine crashes outside his home.
But these trends aren't unique to my old stomping grounds. Behind the wheel, folks across the U.S. are finding their focus tempted more than ever before. From podcasts, to incoming texts, to infotainment systems, to in-vehicle screens, experts estimate that distracted driving has risen 30 percent since the pandemic. Not to mention, Americans continue to favor larger cars, keeping themselves safe but heightening the danger for drivers operating smaller vehicles.
Tragically, there were more deaths on Washington roads in 2022 than in any year since 1990. These include rising pedestrian fatalities, mostly occurring on wide streets.
Of all the wonderful things we Washingtonians have in common, it’s a pity that poor driving conditions have claimed a place on that list. The studies are unequivocal: Seattle drivers are the worst. But these declining conditions reflect a broader picture affecting all of Washington. As we enjoy the bounty that is our beloved state, it may be time to reflect on our own behavior behind the wheel and perhaps even advocate for local action to help keep ourselves and our neighbors safe.
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