UDOT and DPS concerned after spike in summer traffic fatalities

Zero Fatalities urges everyone to drive safe this Pioneer Day

Twelve people died on Utah's roads last week - the worst one-week total in almost two years, according to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS).

This spike in fatalities concerns Utah officials, since the state is in the middle of the 100 Deadliest Days, the period between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, where traffic fatalities tend to increase.

Utah officials were hopeful going into the 100 Deadliest Days, as yearly fatalities were trending 14% lower than the year before. But after last week's alarming number of fatalities, Utah has 145 total fatalities for the year.

This summer alone, there have been 49 fatal crashes, causing 54 fatalities (up-to-date data can be viewed on the Zero Fatalities website).

"We all need to take responsibility behind the wheel to keep each other safe this summer," UDOT Director of Traffic and Safety Director Robert Miles said. "One small decision can have fatal consequences."

UDOT and DPS officials are urging everyone to drive safely the rest of this summer and always, especially this Pioneer Day. This means driving alert, buckling up, and putting away distractions.

Other noticeable trends from the summer timeframe:

• There have been 12 fatal motorcycle crashes from Memorial day until now. This is up 13.48% from the last five years for motorcycles.
• 30 out of the 49 fatal crashes have been single vehicle, single occupant crashes. This is up 12.24% from the last five years.
• Of the 49 total fatal crashes, 19 crashes had multiple fatalities.
• In 2024, the top 5 crash attributes in fatal crashes were: motorcycle involved, pedestrian involved, older driver involved, speed-related and drug related.
  • From 2019-2023, the top 5 crash attributes in fatal crashes were: drug-related, speed-related, unrestrained involved, motorcycle involved, and older driver involved.

"Too many people on our roads are losing their lives because of actions that can be prevented," UHP Col. Michael Rapich said. "Lives are lost when people choose to drive distracted, impaired, aggressive, drowsy or unbuckled."