Pedestrian traffic fatalities in Utah spiked in 2022

An estimated 320 individuals died on Utah roads in 2022, in response to preliminary figures launched by state transportation and public security officers yesterday.

• That is a few 4% improve in comparison with 2021.

By the numbers: Of the entire fatalities this 12 months, 53 have been pedestrians, 50 have been motorcyclists and 15 have been bicyclists.

• 12 kids beneath the age of 10 additionally died on Utah roads, which is twice the 2021 quantity.

The massive image: It is the best variety of deaths recorded amongst these teams within the final 5 years.

• John Gleason, the Utah Division of Transportation spokesperson, advised Axios the excessive price of fatalities was a results of “aggressive” driving conduct.

In the meantime, males died in site visitors fatalities at a considerably increased price than girls. Of the 320 killed, practically 76% have been males.

Zoom in: Final 12 months, Salt Lake Metropolis officers decreased pace limits from 25 mph to twenty mph on most streets in response to a rise in deadly pedestrian accidents.

• Analysis exhibits the chance of demise drops considerably for pedestrians hit by vehicles touring 20 mph in comparison with 25 mph.

What they’re saying: “Now we have seen not solely pedestrians however bicyclists and motorcyclists which have been killed at a better price,” Gleason advised Axios. “That is not acceptable.”

• “It is about watching out for these which might be extra susceptible. They do not have the identical protections that these in vehicles or vehicles have,” he continued.