Motorcycle fatalities up almost 80% on Utah roads
May 22, 2025, 7:00 AM
Rachel Trim shows the scratches on her helmet and visor from an accident that occurred a year ago, at Turn N’ Learn in West Jordan on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Trim was wearing the helmet and other protective gear when she was hit. In the wake of a five-year high in motorcycle fatalities in 2024, the Utah Department of Public Safety urges motorcyclists to take rider safety courses and obtain a state-mandated motorcycle endorsement. DPS data over the last five years shows that the majority of motorcycle fatalities happened to riders who didn’t have proper training or endorsements. (Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
(Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Motorcycle accidents and subsequent fatalities are higher this year compared to the same time last year, according to the Utah Highway Safety Office.
“We’ve been looking at 2025 crash rates and numbers, and we’ve seen a couple of alarming trends emerge,” said Jason Mettmann, communications manager with the Utah Highway Safety Office.
As of Tuesday, there have been over 380 accidents involving motorcycles on Utah’s roads. Sixteen of them have been fatal compared to just nine fatalities at the same time last year.
“We’re up almost 80% on fatalities… and 16% higher [in overall motorcycle crashes] than we were last year,” Mettmann said.
Most accidents happen on highways, with about 40% of them being single-vehicle crashes, meaning a motorcyclist gets into an accident by themselves.
The top five factors in fatal crashes this year are:
- Failure to keep in the proper lane
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving
- Disregarding traffic signs
“For drivers that are failing to yield the right of way to these motorcyclists, that’s simply a behavior issue. It is a choice to drive poorly. It is a choice to drive recklessly. And, unfortunately, these motorcyclists are vulnerable,” he said. “They don’t have that protection of the vehicle or seat belt around them to protect them from other driver behaviors that are out there. So, please, share the road. It is both of our responsibilities to make sure we do so safely.”
Many of this year’s motorcycle accidents involve riders who are not legally endorsed to use a motorcycle.
“One quarter of these fatalities and crashes do not have any additional training or even a motorcycle license endorsement. So, they’re riding illegally and they haven’t taken that extra step to make sure that they’re riding safely,” said Mettmann.
Motorcycle crashes are eleven times more likely to result in a death.
As one teen continues to fight for his life in a hospital after an incident in Bountiful earlier this week, safety officials are urging more caution for drivers and riders alike.
“The majority of these crashes that we’re finding, especially in fatalities on motorcycles, they are known speed-related and non-helmet use for this year’s fatalities,” said Mettmann. “So, we all know that speed decreases our reaction time if there is a hazard or slowing traffic in front of you. So please, reduce your speeds, not just as a rider but as a vehicle driver as well. That is going to reduce the severity of these incidents and reduce the risk of these crashes as things come up. Please make sure to share the road.”
