The Utah Department of Transportation has finalized a statewide study on vulnerable road users, a move intended to inform safety strategies and infrastructure projects to reduce crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized travelers. The assessment follows data showing that between 2021 and 2022, fatalities involving these road users in Utah rose by 35 percent.
Strategic Safety Integration
The study, which was completed in February 2026, focused on identifying high-risk areas and understanding the underlying factors that contribute to crashes involving those without the protection of a motorized vehicle. This assessment is part of a larger effort to align with the Federal Highway Administration's directive for states to develop safety assessments for vulnerable road users.
According to the Utah Department of Transportation, the findings from this study will be integrated into the department's Strategic Highway Safety Plan. The goal of the initiative is to move the state closer to a target of zero traffic fatalities by updating infrastructure and developing more inclusive transportation systems.
Data and Community Collaboration
The assessment process involved analyzing crash data from 2017 through 2024 to determine where incidents occurred, the most common types of crashes, and the specific times of day or year when they were most frequent. Researchers also incorporated demographic information from the Social Vulnerability Index and the Healthy Places Index to identify high-risk populations.
To ensure the data reflected on-the-ground realities, the study team collaborated with various stakeholders, including local government officials, metropolitan planning organizations, transit agencies, and representatives from tribal lands. The department also engaged directly with community members in high-risk areas to identify specific challenges and barriers faced by vulnerable travelers.
Statewide Fatality Statistics
While the UDOT study focuses on future prevention, recent statewide fatality data highlights the ongoing risks on Utah roadways. As of November 24, 2025, the Utah Highway Safety Office reported 225 total fatal crashes resulting in 236 fatalities.
In those reported crashes, drivers accounted for 91 deaths, or 40.1 percent, and motorcycle drivers accounted for 64 deaths, or 28.2 percent. Pedestrians were involved in 30 fatalities, representing 13.2 percent of the total, while passengers accounted for 29 deaths, or 12.9 percent. Bicyclists were involved in 3 fatalities, or 1 percent.
Primary Crash Factors
Analysis of contributing factors in fatal crashes shows that speeding was the primary cause in 35 percent of cases, involving 82 incidents. Other significant factors included failure to yield the right-of-way, which accounted for 26 cases or 11 percent, and aggressive or reckless driving, which was a factor in 19 cases or 8 percent.
Additionally, suspected DUI was a contributing factor in 14 crashes, or 6 percent, and disregarding traffic signs or signals was cited in 11 crashes, or 5 percent. Other contributing factors identified include distracted driving, following too closely, and improper lane usage.
Data Collection Methods
The crash data used in these reports is derived from reports completed by law enforcement officers investigating scenes on public roadways. Information is collected when a crash results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $2,500.
Fatal crash data is specifically compiled by the Department of Public Safety’s Highway Safety Office and is stored in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a national database for fatal traffic crashes across the United States.
Future Safety Goals
The Utah Department of Transportation's updated assessment aims to use this data to prioritize projects that improve safety for everyone using the state's roads. By identifying high-risk locations and collaborating with local partners, the state intends to implement practical solutions to reduce accidents and prevent future deaths.
