Fewer Traffic Deaths in 2009

The King County Medical Examiner's Office released its 2009 annual report on Tuesday, detailing data gleaned from 2,137 death investigations.
According to the King County Medical Examiner, traffic deaths have declined in King County in 2009: There were 141 such deaths in 2009, down from 163 in 2008. There were 226 accidental traffic deaths in 2005, the highest number in recent years, the report says.
The vast majority of drivers and pedestrians killed in 2009 were male — about 70 percent compared with 30 percent for females, according to the report. All of the 18 motorcycle drivers killed last year were men, while the sole motorcycle passenger who was killed was a woman.
Fatal collisions involving male drivers "typically involve excessive speed and highly dangerous behavior," said Harruff.
In addition, 21 male pedestrians and nine male cyclists were killed in 2009 compared with eight female pedestrians and three female cyclists.
Traffic deaths accounted for almost 7 percent and homicides, nearly 3 percent, the report says.
The report, which is available in book form at the Medical Examiner's Office, is expected to be posted online this week at www.kingcounty.gov/health/examiner.
Dr. Richard Harruff, King County's chief medical examiner, said declines in homicides and traffic deaths can be partly attributed to doctors at Harborview "who do an excellent job saving the lives of people who otherwise might have died."