Survey responses on Whatcom road fatalities needed by August 31

Whatcom County residents may have noticed a yellow flyer advertising the Whatcom Crash Test in their mailboxes throughout August.

The Whatcom Crash Test is an initiative by Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG) that aims to understand a wider range of human factors that contribute to road fatalities. In exchange for filling out the survey, participants will be entered into a pool to win $50 gift cards. Surveys must be submitted by Saturday, August 31.

According to the survey, the most common factor in 47 percent of Whatcom County fatalities between 2014 and 2024 has been impaired driving.

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, 810 people died in fatal accidents on Washington roads in 2023, the highest recorded statewide since 1990.

WCOG has been supporting an ad campaign for the initiative through mailers, bus ads and attending community events. 

Hugh Conroy is the director of WCOG and manages the Whatcom Crash Test.

Conroy said that WCOG plans to keep the survey open throughout the end of the month to align with the timeframe of the cash prizes. Winners will be randomly selected on September 1.

“To give folks an extra nudge to take and complete the survey, we’ll randomly select 50 survey respondents, as long as they provide us with a way to tell us they won,” he said.

About 103,000 postcards arrived in mailboxes on August 1. Conroy said WCOG has received over 3,000 responses so far this month.

“The number one goal is to simply reduce fatal and serious injury crashes,” he said.

For more information, visit the Whatcom Council of Governments website at wcog.org, call 360/676-6974 or email safety@WCOG.org.