As summer approaches, Utah authorities are raising awareness about the dangers of the period known as the ‘100 Deadliest Days of Summer.’
This stretch begins on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day, during which fatal car accidents peak.
Data reveals that fatal crashes are 45% more frequent during these months compared to the rest of the year.
Last year, Utah reported 101 deaths on its roads during this period, averaging nearly one death per day.
This disconcerting trend highlights the critical role that vehicles play in Utah, where approximately 96.1% of households own at least one vehicle.
Between May 21 and July 17, the University of Utah’s Daily Crime and Fire Log recorded 55 traffic-related incidents, with the bulk occurring during the afternoon hours on the main and health sciences campuses.
From 2019 to 2023, the leading factors contributing to crashes in Utah included drugs, speeding, inadequate safety measures, the involvement of motorcycles, and elderly drivers.
Nationwide data from 2021 indicates that drivers under the age of 20 represented about 5% of licensed drivers, yet accounted for 8.5% of those involved in fatal crashes and 12.6% of all crashes.
Specifically during the ‘100 Deadliest Days,’ teens are 20% more likely to be involved in fatal accidents.
The summer months typically see an increase in driving among teens and students whose schedules become more flexible.
Recent statistics revealed that 2,897 fatalities involved teen drivers, with 860 of those occurring during the summer’s dangerous timeframe.
State troopers visiting rural Utah high schools early in the summer identified teen drivers as a significant factor in local crashes.
To combat these alarming statistics, the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) emphasizes that approximately 94% of crashes are due to human error.
Contributing behaviors include speeding, aggressive driving, impairment from drugs or alcohol, neglecting to wear seatbelts, drowsy driving, and distractions from digital devices.
‘Crashes aren’t accidents,’ states the DPS, urging drivers to take accountability for their actions behind the wheel.
Lt. Jason Kelsey reminds drivers to engage in small but crucial safety practices: ‘Do the small things – buckle up, put your phone down, and obey the speed limit.’
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) also runs campaigns urging motorists to drive responsibly.
The leading causes of crashes identified by UDOT include following too closely, failing to yield right of way, driving too fast for the conditions, and making unsafe lane changes.
Recently, a report from UDOT indicated that 12 individuals lost their lives on Utah roads in just one week, marking the highest total in almost two years.
Up-to-date information on road safety and crash-related deaths can be accessed via the Zero Fatalities website.
Utah Highway Patrol Colonel Michael Rapich issued a warning about the dangers of unsafe driving behaviors, stating, ‘Too many people on our roads are losing their lives because of actions that can be prevented.’
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