Utah – Fatal Car Crash Statistics
On Utah roadways, 280 people lost their lives in 2016. Of those lives lost, 194 were motorists in passenger vehicles (not including motorcycles.) Men accounted for 69 percent of car crash deaths; whereas, 31 percent were women. Utah saw 186 calendar days with no recorded fatalities from motor accidents.
During 2015, there were 276 people killed in traffic crashes. That year, the death rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was 0.95, which is lower than the national average. The motor vehicle death rate has remained lower than the U.S. Average since 2001.
Fatality Factors
According to Zero Fatalities, a safe-driving advocacy group, there are 5 major factors in car wreck deaths. Their statistics show the following data for Utah in 2016.
- Drowsy driving resulted in 21 roadway deaths.
- Distracted driving played a role in killing 22 people.
- Aggressive driving (including speeding) killed 76.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol caused 77 fatalities.
- And 86 drivers and passengers who died were not wearing safety restraints.
Types of Car Crashes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collects data on six different kinds of fatal vehicle accidents in every state. In Utah, the deadliest accidents are the ones that involve a single automobile. The following statistics represent data from 2015.
- Single Vehicle accidents killed 149 people.
- Crashes involving a large truck were responsible for 37 deaths.
- Accidents where at least one driver was speeding killed 58.
- 81 people died in rollovers.
- Wrecks, where the automobile departed the roadway, resulted in 117 people dying.
- 61 car crash deaths happened at or near intersections.
Types of Vehicle
The NHTSA also reports on the type of automobiles fatalities occurred from. During 2015, 34 percent of deaths were in passenger cars. Light trucks and pickups accounted for 14 percent. Utility vehicles had 11 percent fatalities. 4 percent happened in vans. Large trucks were involved in 2 percent of traffic mortalities. 13 percent were motorcycles, and 20 percent were pedestrians, bicyclist, and other people not in a vehicle. No deaths were reported on buses.
Fatal Crashes by County
Overall in the state, the motor vehicle mortality rate is 8 deaths for every 100,000 population, according to data analyzed from 2009 to 2015. San Juan County has the highest rate, with 35 people killed in car wrecks for every 100,000 people in the county. Utah County as well as Davis County have the lowest rates, with 6 fatalities per 100,000. Salt Lake County lost the most overall, 562 during that same period.
Driving Under the Influence
Statistics from data collected between 2011 and 2015 show the number of car crash fatalities somehow involve alcohol. This data includes drivers who were reported to have any Blood Alcohol Content, whether below or above the legal limit.