Fewer teens lost their lives on Utah roads in 2024, new data shows

SALT LAKE CITY — A preliminary report released last Tuesday revealed that Utah saw a 50% decrease in teen deaths on its roads last year, compared to 2023.

The report, published by the Utah Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety found that 19 teens died on Utah roads in 2024. In 2023, that number was 38.

UDOT spokesperson John Gleason said looking even further back, “Last year was the fewest amount of teens that had lost their lives on Utah roads in almost the last decade, which is incredibly encouraging.”

It’s an important milestone, Gleason said.

“Anytime that you do see a decline in fatalities, and in this case, our youngest drivers, and some of the youngest people out there, you have to celebrate those accomplishments.”

However, Gleason said they won’t be satisfied until they hit zero.

“Last year was probably the most optimistic year that we’ve had. Still, 19 teens losing their lives, that’s you know, you can’t even put that into words the grief that people are feeling — families.”

The loss of a child is incomprehensible, Gleason said, and this news isn’t much comfort to families going through loss.

“But it is something that we have to look at and say, ‘How can we make this number even lower?”

Find more statistics on the Zero Fatalities website.

Related stories:

• UDOT asks for public feedback on traction law enforcement increases
• Caught on dashcam: Driver nearly causes deadly crash in American Fork Canyon, then zooms away