OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington state saw a huge jump in traffic deaths in the first nine months of 2022.

The Seattle Times reports the 20% increase here was a contrast to lower highway death tolls in most other states.

Nationally the highway fatality rate was down by a modest 0.2%.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission says the first few months of the year were especially bad.

Almost 600 people lost their lives in traffic crashes in the first nine month of last year.

The full year total will be calculated and released later this year.