Utah
‘Not acceptable’: Utah traffic deaths surpassed 300 again in 2022
An officer investigates a automotive crash that concerned 5 autos close to 450 S. 400 West in Salt Lake Metropolis on Aug. 12, 2022. Utah transportation officers stated 320 folks had been killed on Utah roads in 2022, the second most since 2002. (Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information)
Estimated learn time: 5-6 minutes
TAYLORSVILLE — The quantity of people that died on Utah roads decreased by 3.6% in 2022 in comparison with the earlier yr; however, the state’s visitors deaths stay the very best they’ve been in 20 years, in response to newly launched visitors knowledge.
In all, 320 folks died in traffic-related incidents final yr, in response to statistics launched by the Utah Division of Public Security and Utah Division of Transportation Thursday. That is a slight lower from 332 roadway fatalities in 2021. That stated, it marks the second-consecutive yr that deaths topped 300, a determine that beforehand hadn’t been seen within the state since 2003.
There have been 276 highway fatalities in 2020 after the variety of roadway deaths had fallen to 248 in 2019.
“One startling takeaway from this final yr is what number of of our most susceptible highway customers’ lives had been misplaced,” stated UDOT spokesman John Gleason. “Everybody shares the highway, whether or not they’re driving, strolling, or using a motorbike or motorbike, and all highway customers have an equal accountability to be careful for each other.”
Utah’s highway fatality fee — a statistic that measures deaths per 100 million car miles traveled within the state — additionally dropped from 0.98 to 0.93, a 5.4% lower. It was 0.91 in 2020, although, the variety of car miles traveled dropped considerably that yr due to impacts associated to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Altering traits in 2022
Whereas the variety of speed-related and impaired driving fatalities every dropped in 2022, motorbike, pedestrian, bicyclist and baby deaths all rose from the earlier yr. The departments’ report notes:
- There have been 87 speed-related visitors deaths in 2022, down from 109 in 2021.
- There have been 140 alcohol/drug-related visitors deaths, down from 157 the earlier yr.
- The quantity of people that died as a result of they weren’t carrying a seat belt additionally declined in 2022, falling from 84 in 2021 to 73 in 2022.
- Bike fatalities rose to 50 in 2022, up from 40 in 2021.
- 53 pedestrians had been killed in visitors deaths, up from 45 within the earlier yr.
- Bicycle-related visitors deaths rose from six in 2021 to fifteen in 2022.
- There have been additionally 33 teen fatalities, in addition to 12 different baby fatalities in 2022, a small improve from the earlier yr. Mixed, there have been 40 teen and baby roadway deaths in 2021.
Among the state traits mirror nationwide traits. Advocates for Freeway and Auto Security notes that U.S. visitors deaths rose to a 16-year excessive of just about 43,000 folks in 2021. Knowledge from the primary half of 2022 signifies that numbers had been nonetheless rising throughout the nation, the group stated final month.
However, of all of the 2022 Utah traits, Gleason finds the rise of bike, bicycle and pedestrian deaths to be probably the most alarming, calling the figures for all three the very best in “current reminiscence.”
For example, the state has averaged 5.75 bicycle deaths per yr over the earlier 4 years, prior to fifteen in 2022. The variety of motorbike deaths is the very best over the previous 5 years, as nicely; the variety of baby fatalities (below age 10) is double the earlier yr, and the very best up to now 5 years.
UDOT Director Carlos Braceras pledged in Could 2022 that the company would start new initiatives and supply funding to enhance road security alongside the Wasatch Entrance after six folks, together with 4 youngsters, had been killed inside two weeks of one another in separate pedestrian and bicycle-related crashes. A number of had been brought on by suspected impaired or rushing drivers.
“It is not acceptable,” Gleason stated, of the excessive figures. “It is one thing that we have to work (on) to enhance, and it is about watching out for one another.”
Discovering methods to make roads safer
UDOT now not views efficient car journey as the principle indicator of success, Gleason provides. As an alternative, company officers wish to concentrate on a number of modes of transportation — and security elements into that.
They stated Thursday that UDOT spends $4 million yearly on initiatives “particularly designed to enhance security and make entry simpler for these susceptible customers,” comparable to bicyclists and pedestrians. The state’s transportation fee additionally authorized 44 completely different initiatives aimed toward enhancing pedestrian security over the previous yr, comparable to new strolling and biking trails, bridges and bike lanes.
They add that they consider Gov. Spencer Cox’s proposed statewide trails community has the potential to supply “a protected and sustainable transportation choice” for pedestrians and bicyclists because the system is pieced collectively. The governor’s proposed 2024 fiscal yr funds requires $100 million to be put aside to get the undertaking rolling although, it is as much as the Utah Legislature to allocate the cash.
“We do not measure success any longer on what number of autos we will transfer,” Gleason stated. “It is about transferring folks, and now we have to have that full image — that full outlook on the transportation system to achieve success and to get folks the place they are going safely.”
The Legislature may even mull new measures associated to highway security when the subsequent session begins on Jan. 17. For example, Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, stated in September that she intends to file a invoice associated to distracted driving through the 2023 session.
Enhancements might come all the way down to elements past new initiatives and legal guidelines, although. Utah Freeway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Roden stated drivers ought to think about making New Yr’s resolutions to drive safer.
“Resolutions concentrate on making small adjustments over an extended time period to type habits and enhance high quality of life,” he stated Thursday. “These habits are fashioned by beginning with the basics.”
What are the fundamentals he recommends?
- At all times buckle up — and put on a seat belt correctly — irrespective of the driving distance or every other elements.
- Watch your pace and abide by the pace restrict irrespective of the driving circumstances. At all times decelerate when roads are moist or icy.
- Use your blinker whenever you change lanes.
- Overview all the foundations of the highway.
Roden provides that oldsters train their youngsters “protected pedestrian habits,” comparable to carrying reflective gear and selecting a protected route to highschool. On the identical time, he says drivers ought to make a “particular effort” to come back to finish stops and concentrate whereas at intersections.