In 2024 the Bainbridge Island Police Department responded to 181 car accidents.

Shannon Hays, the city’s communications coordinator, said 25 collisions were on High School Road and 84 on Highway 305. Of that total, seven occurred at or near the intersection of the two roads.

In 2023, 810 people died on Washington roads, the state Traffic Safety Commission website says. In Kitsap County, 22 fatalities were reported, including two on BI.

“The most important thing we want the public to know about preventing accidents and promoting road safety is to always stay focused and alert. Pay attention to your surroundings, watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and avoid distractions inside the vehicle—such as using cell phones, adjusting the radio, eating or engaging in conversations that take your focus off the road,” police chief Joe Clark wrote in an email.

A public records request shows that two collisions occurred in March: one on Highway 305 and one on Agate Pass Bridge. In a March 3 incident, two vehicles sideswiped each other on Highway 305. On March 10, a three-car, low-speed collision occurred on Agate Pass Bridge.

A Washington State Patrol representative said troopers responded to 104 calls at Eagle Harbor last year, including three collisions.

In 2023, COBI adopted a resolution that lowered speed limits to 20 mph with a few exceptions, including Highway 305.

A WSP representative wrote that a common reason for collisions includes speeding and not allowing enough following distance.

“Obeying traffic laws is essential for everyone’s safety. Speed limits, stop signs and right-of-way rules exist for a reason—to keep drivers, passengers and pedestrians safe,” Clark wrote.