Auto-pedestrian crashes decrease in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY —  Fewer auto-pedestrian crashes and deaths have occurred in Utah this year. 

October is typically Utah’s worst month for pedestrian accidents. But with less than half the month to go, we are substantially below the amount we normally have.

According to the Department of Public Safety, DPS, only 14 crashes involving vehicles and pedestrians have been reported this month. There have been two fatalities.

Last year was the worst in seven years for crashes. In October 2022, 106 auto-pedestrian crashes took place and five deaths.

However, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Roden said not all pedestrian-related accidents may been reported. There have also been more crashes recently.

“Initially looked like we were doing a little bit better but it does sound like we’ve had a rash of pedestrian-related crashes that have happened over the last little bit,” Roden said.

The data from the DPS also shows pedestrian crashes have been lower for the year overall.

“Looking at the statistics this year it looks like we are definitely doing better with pedestrian crashes and fatalities, but it’s something we can still definitely improve on,” Roden said.

Twenty-six pedestrians have died in crashes this year up until yesterday. That is half the amount we had for all of 2022.

“For last year in 2022, we had 935 crashes related to pedestrians with 54 pedestrian fatalities involved in those crashes,” Roden said.

This year, Utah has had 26 pedestrian deaths and significantly fewer crashes.

Related stories:

• Families of teens killed on Utah roads want to ‘make things better’
• Murray police searching for driver who police say hit and killed a pedestrian in Murray

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