Utah motorcycle deaths up more than 40% compared to last year
Nov 14, 2025, 4:43 PM | Updated: 5:02 pm
A motorcycle involved in a crash in Salt Lake City is pictured in August 2018. (File photo: James Wooldridge, Deseret News)
(File photo: James Wooldridge, Deseret News)
LEHI – The number of motorcycle-related deaths in Utah is significantly higher compared to a year ago.
According to Utah Highway Patrol data, there have been 66 motorcycle-related fatalities so far in 2025. That’s an increase of 40.4% from this same time last year, UHP said.
It’s also well above the previous record of 53 total motorcycle-related deaths in 2024.
While the total number of crashes involving motorcycles has actually fallen this year, UHP Sgt. Mike Alexander said, the crashes that have occurred are more severe.
“Anytime we see an increase in fatalities, it’s a general concern to us,” Alexander said. “In this case, it’s the motorcycles.”
Of the deadly motorcycle-related crashes so far this year, Alexander said 39% involved speeding.
“All of us just need to take a big deep breath and just slow down,” he said.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Mike Alexander speaks with KSL TV on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (Mark Less, KSL TV)
On Thursday, a motorcyclist went to the hospital in critical condition after colliding with the back of a vehicle on Bangerter Highway in Draper. UHP told KSL the motorcyclist was speeding.
Troopers also initially said the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, but they later said it was likely the helmet was knocked off during the crash.
Officials said the increase in severe motorcycle crashes in Utah is something everyone should worry about.
“Anytime you see these crashes involving motorcycles, it’s easy to point the finger at one group or another, but it is a two-way street,” Alexander said. “There is some fault on the side of the motorcyclists. There’s some fault on the side of other motorists involved, and so it’s a matter of education on both sides.”
Earlier this year, UHP said just over a third of riders involved in fatal crashes had motorcycle license endorsements, while just under 10% of riders who died in crashes had taken a motorcycle safety course.
“In other words,” UHP said, “a lack of training and proper endorsements negatively affects outcomes in crashes.”
Related: Motorcycle fatalities up almost 80% on Utah roads
