Pedestrian-car crashes are a growing concern says Utah law enforcement

WEST VALLEY CITY — With earlier sunsets, busy shopping centers during the holidays, and more people walking after dark, safety leaders say Utah is entering the most dangerous time of year for pedestrians.

Since November 23, four pedestrians have been killed in Utah, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. All of them were in dark or low-light conditions.

Last December, nine pedestrians were killed statewide, with eight of those deaths happening in the dark.

At a press conference Thursday in West Valley City, DPS and police department officials urged Utahns not to let what they call “the season of light become a season of loss.”

They also debuted a new statewide safety video showing how invisible a person can be at night unless they’re wearing reflective gear or using a light.

According to newly released fact sheets, pedestrian fatalities in Utah consistently rise during the fall and winter, with December ranking among the worst months.

So far in 2025, Utah has recorded 35 pedestrian fatalities and 976 pedestrian-involved crashes. More than half of those crashes happened in intersections or marked crosswalks.

Man hit and killed trying to cross the street in West Jordan

DPS officials said the top contributing factors include drivers failing to yield the right-of-way and pedestrians crossing improperly or assuming they have the right-of-way.

Troopers emphasized that a “shared responsibility” mentality between drivers and pedestrians is the key to reducing crashes.

“We feel that this is an urgent public safety need,” Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Mike Alexander said. “Especially in these winter months when the sun is at a low angle, it can create some glare and a little bit of difficulty that way.”

One of the agencies at Thursday’s event was the West Valley City Police Department. Three pedestrians were killed in West Valley last year.

Detective Mike Millett said officers don’t want holiday gatherings to turn into tragedies.

“Our holiday season is a season of joy, a season of happiness, and we truly want it to be a joyful day. We don’t want to gather together for a horrific event,” Millett said.

He added that preventing pedestrian deaths isn’t something law enforcement can solve alone.

“It is something that we, not one of us, can solve by ourselves. So, we need everybody to take care of this,” he said.

During the demonstration at the press conference, officers showed how quickly a person can disappear from view inside a car when they’re wearing dark clothing.

Even in a crosswalk, pedestrians can become nearly invisible until a vehicle is dangerously close.

DPS displayed a variety of inexpensive reflective items, such as LED clips, reflective tags, slap bracelets, and small flashlights, all designed to help drivers see people earlier.

“We don’t want to lose any more lives,” Alexander said. “Something as simple as a $2 reflective clip or turning on your phone light can help drivers see you from a distance. Please, talk with your kids, your parents, and your neighbors. These steps are easy, and they save lives.”

DPS said a statewide pedestrian safety enforcement effort is underway through January 3, involving 10 agencies and 120 additional shifts focusing on crosswalks, lighting conditions, and high-risk areas.

Safety tips for drivers and pedestrians

DPS recommends the following:

For pedestrians:

• Wear reflective gear or carry a flashlight.
• Use crosswalks and push the button for more crossing time.
• Make eye contact with drivers—never assume you’re seen.
• Walk predictably and avoid diagonal crossings unless designed for it.

For drivers:

• Slow down and stay patient, especially around shopping areas.
• Stay alert and sober; distractions and impairment reduce reaction time.
• Always stop for pedestrians, even when you have the right-of-way.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped in a travel lane until you know whether it’s yielding to a pedestrian.