Fatal crashes in Tacoma have increased, with 2023 and 2024 marking the highest numbers recorded in nearly a decade. While the total number of crashes has declined, serious injuries and deaths have become more frequent.
The following table, created with data from WSDOT, provides a detailed record of Tacoma’s traffic crashes over the past decade.
| Year | Fatal | Suspected Serious Injury | Suspected Minor Injury | Possible Injury | No Apparent Injury | Total Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 | 90 | 214 | 762 | 2,430 | 3,528 |
| 2023 | 35 | 124 | 325 | 960 | 3,038 | 4,482 |
| 2022 | 23 | 105 | 309 | 929 | 3,229 | 4,595 |
| 2021 | 23 | 103 | 360 | 1,045 | 3,444 | 4,975 |
| 2020 | 19 | 71 | 263 | 892 | 2,653 | 3,898 |
| 2019 | 18 | 75 | 297 | 1,084 | 3,265 | 4,739 |
| 2018 | 15 | 77 | 338 | 1,148 | 3,652 | 5,230 |
| 2017 | 12 | 85 | 343 | 1,161 | 3,675 | 5,276 |
| 2016 | 20 | 67 | 293 | 1,206 | 3,528 | 5,114 |
| 2015 | 18 | 72 | 334 | 1,113 | 3,220 | 4,757 |
The decline in total crashes alongside a rise in fatal and severe injury collisions may be, in part from Tacoma’s growing population, leading to more drivers on the road, as well as increased distractions from cell phones and other technology. With injuries from distracted driving on the rise across Washington, less vigilant driving may be making fewer crashes more severe. Higher speeds, riskier driving behavior, and road construction or design issues could also be factors.
Tacoma recorded 35 fatal crashes in 2023, the highest number in nearly a decade. Although this number dropped slightly to 32 in 2024, fatalities remain higher than in previous years. The steady increase suggests that more safety measures are needed to prevent the most severe crashes.
The number of suspected serious injuries reached 124 in 2023, the highest recorded in the dataset. In 2024, this number dropped to 90 but remains higher than pre-2020 levels. The sharp increase in 2023 aligns with the rise in fatal crashes and shows that a greater percentage of accidents are leading to severe outcomes.
While serious crashes have increased, the total number of traffic accidents has declined overall. Between 2016 and 2018 Tacoma saw an average of 5207 total crashes, but the average of total crashes in the period 2021 to 2024 was 4395 (15.6% decrease). Fewer overall crashes suggest some improvement in general traffic conditions, though they have not prevented the rise in fatal and serious injury crashes.
The number of possible injuries fell from 1,045 in 2021 to 762 in 2024, following a similar decline in total crashes. Reports of no apparent injuries also dropped, showing that while there are fewer minor accidents, the collisions that are happening are more likely to cause significant harm, if current trends continue.
The combination of fewer total crashes but more fatalities and serious injuries points to high-risk factors that continue to affect road safety. Distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving, and impaired driving have likely contributed to the increase in severe collisions. While infrastructure changes and enforcement efforts may have helped reduce minor accidents, they have not been enough to reduce the most dangerous crashes.
The trend is especially noticeable between 2017 and 2023, with a healthy decrease in serious injury crashes but only a small decrease in fatalities in 2024.
Tacoma has taken steps to reduce traffic fatalities, but with the rise in serious and fatal crashes, continued vigilance is needed. Programs like Vision Zero and the Tacoma Streets Initiative focus on road design, speed management, and enforcement to improve safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The Vision Zero program, adopted in 2020, is designed to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2035. The plan focuses on lowering speed limits, redesigning streets, and increasing automated enforcement.
In 2024, a significant reduction was proposed for the Vision Zero budget, which would have decreased it from $900,000 to $90,000—a 90% cut. The proposal was made despite a 35% increase in traffic fatalities and serious injuries between 2022 and 2023. However, when the 2025-2026 biennial budget was finalized, the Tacoma City Council approved $1 million in funding for Vision Zero projects instead. While this allocation is higher than the proposed cut, it remains to be seen how effectively the funding will support ongoing safety improvements and whether it will be enough to meet the program’s long-term goals.
The Tacoma Streets Initiative funds street repairs, safety improvements, and maintenance on residential and arterial roads. The program focuses on making roadways safer through structural upgrades.
Ongoing investment in infrastructure will be needed to address growing traffic challenges and keep roadways safe.
Pacific Avenue and Portland Avenue have been identified as high-risk corridors because of frequent serious crashes and ongoing speeding concerns. Planned improvements focus on making these roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
Beyond the statistics, every fatal or serious crash leaves lasting devastation for families and the community. The sudden loss of a loved one or life-altering injuries bring emotional trauma, financial burdens, and an overwhelming sense of loss.
In August 2023, a motorcyclist was killed in a crash at the interchange of State Route 16 and Interstate 5. Reports indicated that speeding may have contributed to the collision. (thenewstribune.com)
In October 2024, a semi-truck ran a red light at the intersection of Canyon Road East and Military Road East, leading to a multi-vehicle collision. Three people were hospitalized for treatment. (thenewstribune.com)
In January 2025, another fatal crash occurred when a driver attempting to overtake another vehicle going northbound on Orchard Street, possibly under the influence, caused a deadly collision. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of DUI. (fox13seattle.com)
Each of these crashes represents more than a statistic—they reflect the devastating consequences of dangerous driving behaviors and the urgent need for stronger enforcement and safer road design. Addressing high-risk intersections, improving traffic signal compliance, and expanding public awareness efforts could help prevent future tragedies and reduce the human cost of severe crashes in Tacoma.
Fatal crashes in Pierce County have increased in recent years. Between 2015 and 2020, the county averaged 62 traffic deaths per year. From 2021 to 2024, that number rose to an average of 91. Speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving continue to be leading factors in these crashes.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission provides resources to local communities focused on improving road safety. Programs include driver awareness campaigns, partnerships with local organizations, and initiatives addressing impaired driving, speeding, and other common crash factors, but progress is slow.
In 2023, Washington State enacted legislation to implement speed cameras in active work zones. The program's goal is to decrease speeding by deploying cameras that capture images of vehicles exceeding posted speed limits. The Washington State Patrol reviews these images, and if a violation is confirmed, a notice of infraction is mailed to the registered owner within 30 days. Work zone speed cameras, mounted on trailers, were set to be in active work zones across the state in early 2025. (wsdot.wa.gov)
Lawmakers are considering a bill to lower the legal BAC limit for drivers from 0.08% to 0.05%. The proposal addresses the role of impaired driving in traffic fatalities. If passed, Washington would become the second state in the U.S. to adopt a 0.05% BAC limit. (senatedemocrats.wa.gov)
The Washington State Patrol has increased monitoring and traffic stops to address unsafe driving behaviors. Enforcement campaigns include reducing speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving.
Fatal and severe injury crashes in Tacoma remain high despite safety initiatives. Infrastructure projects, speed limit reductions, and enforcement strategies have addressed some risks, but dangerous driving behaviors and high-risk locations continue to see deadly collisions.
Lowering these numbers requires solutions that go beyond current measures. Some high-risk corridors may need redesigned intersections, lane adjustments, or speed control strategies. Automated enforcement and increased patrols could discourage reckless driving in areas with frequent speeding and traffic violations. Expanding driver education programs may also help address behaviors linked to severe collisions.
Improving road safety depends on changes that target the most common risk factors. Road design updates that separate pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle traffic, signal timing adjustments that improve traffic flow, and coordination between local and state agencies could reduce persistent dangers. Reviewing which enforcement strategies have worked—and where they have failed—will help determine the next steps.
Public engagement can contribute greatly to Tacoma’s road safety strategies. Residents can provide input on high-risk intersections, dangerous crossings, and areas where drivers regularly speed. Their feedback can help direct funding and safety improvements to locations where they will have the greatest impact. A data-driven approach will help prevent fatal and severe crashes from continuing at current levels.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Tacoma crash, call the Tacoma car accident attorneys of Freeman Law Firm, Inc. at (253) 383-4500 for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your options.
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