Utah Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Utah Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Utah reported 276 traffic fatalities for 2015. The state has a slightly lower average per 100,000 population than the national average with 9.21 as compared to the US of 10.92. Motorcycle deaths make up 13 percent of the total deaths with 36 for the year. This number is a significant decrease from 2014 when 45 were reported, but up from 31 in 2013.

Utah has a state helmet law requiring those 17 and younger to wear a helmet at all times. Those over 17 are not required to wear a helmet. Because of this fact, the number of riders not wearing helmets in fatal crashes outnumbered those who did in 2015. Only 15 wore helmets and 18 did not have on helmets in the crash. These numbers mean 45 percent were helmeted, which is up slightly from the two previous years. It was estimated that 10 lives were saved because of helmet use and another seven would be saved if the percent went up to 100 percent helmet usage.

The age group with the highest number of fatalities for 2015 was 50-59 with 10 deaths. There were seven deaths in the 20-29 age group, six in the 30-39 age group and three for those under age 20.

About half of the counties in Utah reported at least one motorcycle-related death for 2015, but only one county reported more than five. The majority of crashes occurred either in the northern portion of the state or the southeastern part. Salt Lake County reported 12 deaths for 2015, which is the same as in 2014 while eight were reported in 2013. Utah County had three fatalities for the year, which is up from the one reported the prior year.


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