Traffic Safety

Traffic Safety Dashboard

This dashboard is intended to help residents understand how traffic safety concerns are identified, how enforcement priorities are determined, and what actions are being taken to improve roadway safety.

Department Commitment

The Mercer Island Police Department is committed to traffic enforcement that is fair, transparent, data-informed, and focused on public safety. We will continue to review traffic concerns, evaluate collision trends, and work with residents and City partners to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and all roadway users.

Our Traffic Safety Priorities/Focus Areas

Mercer Island Police Department traffic enforcement focuses on behaviors most likely to contribute to collisions, injuries, or serious public safety risks, including:

Traffic enforcement is only one part of our overall approach. We also rely on education, engineering recommendations, community feedback, and data analysis to improve safety.

How Enforcement Locations Are Selected

Traffic enforcement locations are based on several factors, including:

• Collision history
• Resident complaints
• Officer observations
• School, pedestrian, and bicycle safety concerns
• Traffic volume and roadway design
• Speed studies or traffic data
• Known problem areas or emerging trends
• Available staffing and competing calls for service

The department does not publish specific enforcement schedules or operational locations in advance, as doing so could reduce effectiveness and officer safety. 

Traffic Safety Statistics

Note: Mercer Island Police officers do not have citation quotas. Enforcement activity reflects traffic safety concerns, community complaints, officer observations, and proactive efforts to reduce dangerous driving behaviors.

Five-Year Traffic Enforcement Activity

Citation Breakdown

2026 Traffic Enforcement Highlights (January–July)

• 1,803 traffic stops conducted to improve roadway safety throughout Mercer Island.
• 855 citations issued for violations observed during those stops.
• 47.4% of traffic stops resulted in a citation, while many other contacts resulted in warnings, education, or other enforcement actions.
• 558 traffic infraction citations were issued for moving violations and other traffic offenses.
• 348 speeding citations were issued, making speeding the most common traffic violation.
• Speeding accounted for 62.4% of all moving traffic citations and 40.7% of all citations issued.
• Nearly 1 in 5 traffic stops (19.3%) resulted in a speeding citation.
• Officers issued 39 citations for operating a vehicle without insurance and 51 citations for expired vehicle registrations.
• 19 drivers were cited for failing to stop at an intersection, and 17 drivers were cited for using a handheld electronic device while driving.
• Officers made 168 criminal traffic arrests/citations, including:
  • 123 for Driving While License Suspended (DWLS)
  • 9 DUI arrests
  • 1 Physical Control arrest
  • 1 Reckless Driving arrest

Total citations (all categories) were 855. Total Traffic Infractions were 558. Total Mercer Island Police officers conducted 1,803 traffic stops through July of 2026. These contacts resulted in 503 traffic infractions.

Traffic enforcement efforts are focused on improving roadway safety, addressing community concerns, and reducing dangerous driving behaviors throughout the city.

Most Common Violations

• Speeding (all speed-related violations)
• Vehicle Registration Violations
• Driving Without Insurance
• Following Too Closely
• Distracted Driving (Electronic Device Use)
• Driver's License Violations
• Failure to Stop at an Intersection or Stop Sign
• School Zone Speeding
• Safety Belt Violations

Enforcement Focus Areas

• Excessive speed and aggressive driving
• School zone safety
• Distracted driving
• Unlicensed and uninsured drivers
• Intersection and stop sign compliance
• Vehicle registration compliance

Key Takeaway

Mercer Island officers remain committed to improving roadway safety through proactive traffic enforcement and education. During 2026, officers conducted 1,803 traffic stops, resulting in 855 citations for violations that contribute to crashes and unsafe driving. Speed enforcement continued to be a primary focus, with 348 speeding citations issued—representing over 40% of all citations and 62% of all moving traffic violations. Officers also took enforcement action against impaired drivers, suspended drivers, distracted drivers, uninsured motorists, and other hazardous driving behaviors to help keep Mercer Island's streets safe for everyone.

Resident Traffic Concerns

Residents may report recurring traffic concerns such as speeding, unsafe driving, school zone violations, pedestrian safety concerns, or suspected reckless driving patterns.

When a concern is submitted, MIPD reviews:

• Location
• Time of day and day of week
• Type of behavior reported
• Frequency of the concern
• Collision history
• Available traffic data
• Officer availability

Depending on the concern, the department may respond through officer patrols, speed monitoring, education, enforcement, referral to traffic engineering, or continued tracking.

Report a Traffic Concern

For in-progress emergencies, reckless driving, suspected DUI, or immediate threats to safety, call 911. If it is a non-emergency, call 425-577-5656 and request to speak to an officer.

Frequently Asked Questions