SEATTLE — The Washington State Patrol calls it the 90 Dangerous Days. In June, July and August, law enforcement responds to an average of 65 fatalities per month on state roads.
Marilyn Gibbs of Kent sees what she calls preventable tragedies. She is focusing on the deadly crashes in crosswalks and launching a campaign to combat it.
Gibbs has been tracking the traffic-related fatalities on Washington roads. Over the past decade, the number of deaths has steadily climbed, going from 462 in 2014 to more than 800 lives lost last year.
"I don't want to see anybody grieve,” said Gibbs.
She took note of what happened in Tacoma late last month. Police say a hit-and-run killed a 30-year-old man who was walking in a crosswalk.
Earlier this year, in a Kent crosswalk, a teen girl was hurt when a car crashed into her.
"Every time I see it, it hurts because I have had this on my mind for two years,” said Gibbs.
She's been thinking about her own close call on an early morning when she was backing out of her driveway and almost hit a young pedestrian.
"And right there walked a child, looking at his phone, wearing all black. I have a backup camera, not everybody does,” she said.
"Everybody can be part of the problem; the thing is to be part of the solution, and that is what I want to be,” Gibbs added.
She works in construction and saw a connection.
"If you are working in construction in the street, you have to wear Hi-Vis. If we can have Hi-Vis for our employees, why can't we have Hi-Vis options for kids,” Gibbs said.
She's fundraising to get the gear in the hands of kids. Her campaign is called Construction CARES for Kids.
"If you saw a flashing light, nine times out of 10, you are going to slow down or you are going to stop,” said Gibbs. "This is to help those distracted drivers because hitting somebody in a crosswalk is 100% preventable."
She hopes the small tools make a big difference.
The Washington State Patrol says 30% of last year’s traffic fatalities happened over the summer months. Speeding, impairment, and distraction were among the top contributing circumstances.