LOCAL NEWS

Salt Lake City recognizes road traffic victims on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

Nov 17, 2024, 10:44 PM | Updated: 10:48 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — On Sunday, community members and local leaders honored pedestrians and cyclists who have been killed on Salt Lake City roads as it was World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

In a proclamation, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said pedestrians and bicyclists accounted for nearly half the people killed in Salt Lake City roadway fatalities in the last few years. She said that since 2021, 66 roadway deaths have been recorded.


For people like Benjamin Wood, one is too many deaths.

“We don’t have to accept these deaths and these injuries. There’s simple things we can do,” Wood said.

Wood is with Sweet Streets Salt Lake City. The group has advocated for lower speed limits and dedicated areas for walking and biking on the city roads.

“Trails like the 9 Line Trail here. Wider sidewalks, street trees, better lighting,” he said.

A booth from the group Sweet Streets Salt Lake City.

A booth from the group Sweet Streets Salt Lake City. (KSL TV)

Wood said riding a bike in the city can be terrifying and walking can be deadly.

“It’s because of how we build our streets,” Wood said. “Just last month, a woman lost her life walking on the sidewalk.”

Sweet Streets’ traffic violence map records every road traffic injury in yellow. Every red pin represents a deadly crash. According to the organization, the city averages one traffic death a month on its surface streets alone.

“There’s this sentiment that road deaths and road injuries are inevitable, that they’re just the cost of doing business, but they’re really not,” Wood said.

The map from Sweet Streets Salt Lake City showing deadly crashes and crashes that resulted in a traffic injury.

The map from Sweet Streets Salt Lake City showing deadly crashes and crashes that resulted in a traffic injury. (Sweet Streets Salt Lake City)

The city and Sweet Streets are trying to combat this statistic with Vision Zero. The plan promotes different engineering and increased enforcement of city streets.

“The natural gut instinct after someone gets injured or dies from a road traffic violent activity is to, oh, ‘I don’t want to bike. I’m scared.’ And we’re here to say, ‘You know what, actually? We can still ride,'” said bicyclist Lucas Matelich.

The group advocates for innovative street design in Salt Lake City that will allow us to grow and keep our neighbors alive.

“We are a place that people visit. We are a place that people work, but we’re also a place that people live. And sometimes we focus so much on the people who are going through the city that we tend to forget about the people that are here for keeps,” Wood said.

Chalk writing advocating for safe streets in Salt Lake City.

Chalk writing advocating for safe streets in Salt Lake City. (KSL TV)

In her proclamation, Mendenhall said that 10 people have died in 2024 due to a roadway accident, and over two dozen others have been seriously hurt. Mendenhall pledged to reduce the number of deaths by zero in the coming years.

“Road traffic victims aren’t necessary,” Matelich said.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Estranged wife of Matthew Johnson, Jennifer Gledhill, appears in court, pleading not guilty to his ...

Garna Mejia

Search for body of national guardsman expands as estranged wife pleads not guilty

The estranged wife of a Utah National Guardsman pleaded not guilty to his murder, and was ordered to stand trial.

1 hour ago

Hiring sign is displayed at a health service center in Chicago, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/N...

Paul Wiseman, AP Economics Writer

US employers added just 143,000 jobs last month, jobless rate slips to 4% to start the year

U.S. employers added just 143,000 jobs last month, but the jobless rate slipped to 4% to start 2025 and the government revised November and December payrolls higher.

2 hours ago

When they made Tim Vincent an offer for his, he says UDOT's appraiser made a glaring mistake - not ...

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage

UDOT moves to take Orem Family’s home before resolving $175K Price dispute

When they made Tim Vincent an offer for his, he says UDOT's appraiser made a glaring mistake - not taking into account his automotive shop in his backyard.

9 hours ago

FILE - Utah State Capitol. (KSL TV)...

Brian Carlson

Local federal worker feels discouraged at work due to nationwide flux

Many are being encouraged to quit, and for those who don't, they don't know if they'll have a job if they stay. One federal worker in central Utah has had enough.

11 hours ago

Elizabeth “Betsy” R. Cantwell...

Carlysle Price

USU President announces departure, becomes first woman president at Washington State University

Utah State University President Elizabeth R. Cantwell has announced her departure from USU and has accepted a position out of state.

12 hours ago

A tense day in the courtroom as a teen faces adult murder charges in a stabbing death that brings q...

Darby Sparks, KSL

Defense questions motive in Jordan High School teen stabbing death

A tense day in the courtroom as a teen faces adult murder charges in a stabbing death that brings questions of possible gang motive.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Salt Lake City recognizes road traffic victims on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims