Utah Department of Transportation wants to reduce fatal crashes

In 2018, 27 teens were killed in traffic accidents in Utah. In total, 263 people were killed across the state. In 2019, that number has risen to 198 people so far, as of Nov. 13.

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) states that it is the failure to fasten a seat belt that is a leading cause of deaths in accidents. Other causes of collisions include drowsy driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving and driving while intoxicated or impaired. These five behaviors contribute to the majority of fatal crashes in the state.

The Utah Department of Transportation has a goal to stop fatal accidents

UDOT’s director has said that the goal is to reach zero fatalities in Utah, and it believes that some progress has been made. In fact, the number of teens is steadily increasing in the state, but the number of fatal crashes has stayed relatively stable. Still, many fatalities are a result of failing to wear seat belts, among other causes. Only around 89% of drivers in Utah wear seat belts. In cases of fatalities, around half of the people were not wearing seat belts at the time of the collisions.

It’s also important to remember that these fatalities only represent a portion of the people affected by dangerous driving. There are thousands of people who are injured, and many additional people, like family members and friends, have to deal with the aftermath of a serious or fatal collision. You or your family members may be able to file a claim against dangerous drivers if you are seriously hurt or killed in a traffic accident.