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State Patrol cites highest roadway deaths since 1970s, warns of trooper shortfalls and lab backlogs
Summary
Washington State Patrol officials told the House Transportation Committee on Jan. 20 that 2023 saw a record number of traffic fatalities, that trooper staffing remains well below funded levels, and that toxicology and blood-sample turnaround times remain a critical bottleneck for prosecutions.
Captain Dion Glover, Washington State Patrol, told the House Transportation Committee on Jan. 20 that the patrol recorded its highest number of roadway fatalities since the 1970s and described staffing and forensic-lab constraints the agency says complicate traffic-safety work.
The patrol’s presentation, led by Captain Dion Glover and accompanied by Chief John Battiste, focused on rising aggressive driving, impaired-driving involvement in fatal crashes, and steps the patrol is taking on hiring and training. "In 2023, we we hit the highest number of fatalities we've ever had since the mid 19 seventies with over 810 folks died on our roadways," Captain Glover said during the presentation.
Why it matters: Washington’s highway deaths have policy and prosecutorial consequences, committee members were told. Patrol leaders said long forensic turnaround times for blood testing can conflict with speedy‑trial deadlines and that staffing gaps…
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