Fatal Crashes Up On Utah Roads In 2021, DPS Stats Show

SALT LAKE CITY — We’re cruising toward the halfway point of the summer driving season, so KSL’s Dan Spindle wanted to break down how we’re doing so far and where we really need to pay attention to on the roads.

Statistics from the Utah Department of Public Safety found the greatest contributing factor to crashes this year — and every year — is, by far, teenage drivers with 6,555 crashes since Jan 1.

That’s nearly twice as many as those who were speeding, 68% higher than distracted drivers and 86% higher than alcohol-related crashes.

So it’s not even close: Statistically, young, inexperienced drivers are the greatest danger on the roads to themselves and others.

WalletHub just released a study grading states on teenage drivers and Utah landed all the way down at No. 31 on the metrics of safety, economic environment and driving laws.

Know what to do. If you're in a crash or experiencing car trouble on the freeway, follow these steps if you aren't able to safely exit:
1. Get to the right side of the freeway
2. Stay in your car and stay buckled
3. Call 911 and wait for instruction"https://t.co/BLoAOrUQQL

— Zero Fatalities (@ZeroFatalities) June 9, 2021

The economics part looks at the cost of insurance, price of gas and the penalties for traffic citations.

Here’s the confusing part — if you remove 2020 because the pandemic kind of skewed the stats, Utah is well under the five-year average for crashes overall and down in the number of injuries but well over the average for deaths on the roads.

This year, Utah has seen 150 fatalities — 126 is the average up to the first week in July.