Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.52
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.52.060 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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It shall be the duty of the chief of the Washington state patrol to file, tabulate, and analyze all accident reports and to publish annually, immediately following the close of each fiscal year, and monthly during the course of the year, statistical information based thereon showing the number of accidents, the location, the frequency, whether any driver involved in the accident was distracted at the time of the accident and the circumstances thereof, and other statistical information which may prove of assistance in determining the cause of vehicular accidents. Distractions contributing to an accident to be reported must include at least the following: Not distracted; operating a handheld electronic telecommunication device; operating a hands-free wireless telecommunication device; other electronic devices (including, but not limited to, PDA's, laptop computers, navigational devices, etc.); adjusting an audio or entertainment system; smoking; eating or drinking; reading or writing; grooming; interacting with children, passengers, animals, or objects in the vehicle; other inside distractions; outside distractions; and distraction unknown.
Such accident reports and analysis or reports thereof shall be available to the director of licensing, the department of transportation, the utilities and transportation commission, the traffic safety commission, and other public entities authorized by the chief of the Washington state patrol, or their duly authorized representatives, for further tabulation and analysis for pertinent data relating to the regulation of highway traffic, highway construction, vehicle operators and all other purposes, and to publish information so derived as may be deemed of publication value.
[ 2005 c 171 s 2; 1998 c 169 s 1; 1979 c 158 s 161; 1977 c 75 s 67; 1967 c 32 s 56; 1961 c 12 s 46.52.060. Prior: 1937 c 189 s 138; RRS s 6360-138.]

Notes:

Effective date—2005 c 171: See note following RCW 46.52.030.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases, 1960–2012 · leading case: Gendler v. Batiste, 274 P.3d 346 (Wash. 2012).
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Gendler v. Batiste, 274 P.3d 346 (Wash. 2012). · cites it 36× “56 RCW, and its interplay with two statutes, RCW 46.52.060 and 23 U.S.C. § 409 . Michael W.”
Guillen v. Pierce Cnty., 31 P.3d 628 (Wash. 2001). · cites it 5× “170 ; see RCW 46.52.060 and accompanying historical information.”
Guillen v. Pierce Cnty., 181 A.L.R. Fed. 741 (Wash. 2001). · cites it 5× “We note, however, that RCW 46.52.060 mandates that the “number of accidents” at each location, along with their “frequency and circumstances thereof,” be “publish[ed]” on a monthly and annual basis.”
Gendler v. Batiste, 158 Wash. App. 661 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 11× “On cross motions for summary judgment, the trial court granted relief to Gendler after finding that the WSP had a statutory duty under RCW 46.52.060 to provide the requested information notwithstanding 23 U.”
Gendler v. Batiste, 242 P.3d 947 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 12× “Because RCW 46.52.060 imposes a duty on the WSP to create and provide such public records, and because the federal privilege applies only to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) not the WSP, we affirm.”
Foote v. Grant, 350 P.2d 870 (Wash. 1960). · cites it 2× “It might also be noted that the Washington statistics are prepared in compliance with a legislative commandment, RCW 46.52.060. [10] Justice Holmes' statement is similarly applicable: ".”
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