Good News
Not all is doom and gloom on the automotive safety front. Despite an ever-growing population, car accidents are in decline, especially in Utah. In 2012, Utah saw 215 traffic fatalities among a population of 2.8 million. Contrast that with 1959, when there were 205 deaths in a population of 0.89 million. Why the good news – and how can we get fatality rates even lower?
Seatbelts
Ever since the institution of mandatory seatbelt-wearing laws, fatalities have decreased. Manufacturers started mandating putting seatbelts into cars in the 1960s and ’70s, and the US lagged behind other industrialized nations but finally instituted seatbelt laws by the 1980s.
However, compliance is still far from perfect: about 300,000 Utah motorists fail to regularly wear their seatbelts.The non-seatbelt-wearer is more likely to be young, male, less-educated, and have past traffic offenses. Nationwide, fifteen- to twenty-four-year olds have the lowest rate of seatbelt usage. Utah drivers who get in accidents between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM are two and a half times less likely to be wearing a seatbelt than those in daytime crashes.* The “Click It or Ticket” campaign has successfully raised awareness regarding the importance of seatbelt wearing. Unfortunately, 67 Utahns still died due to improper restraints.
DUI
Another cause of traffic fatality in Utah is driving under the influence of alcohol, which led to 41 deaths. The nationwide limit is 0.08% blood alcohol content, down from 0.15% percent a few decades ago. Utah’s limit of 0.08% can be reached by a 120-pound woman after about two drinks, and a 160-pound man after about four.**
Distraction and Drowsiness
Aggressive, distracted, and drowsy driving combined led to 83 fatalities in Utah. Don’t text while driving, and only drive when you are fully alert.
The law firm of Christensen & Hymas can advise you if you or a loved one are a victim or a car accident. We applaud Utah drivers for their increasing safety and share UDOT’s hope to see the number of deaths fall to zero.