245 die on Utah roads in 2009 in 35-year low, but officials say even one is too many

LAYTON -- Traffic fatalities in Utah hit a 35-year low in 2009, but the number should be even lower, transportation officials say.

Across the state last year, 245 people were killed in traffic accidents, according to Utah Department of Transportation officials.

The number represents an 11 percent drop since 2008 and a 34 percent drop since 2000.

Weber County had 24 fatalities; Davis County had 10; Box Elder County had nine; and Morgan County had two.

The drop in state fatalities since 2000 can be attributed to several factors, including more public transportation options, improved driver safety courses, new and improved safety measures on state roads, and several statewide public awareness campaigns, transportation officials say.

"The last time Utah had fewer than 245 fatalities was 35 years ago in 1974, and that low number was largely attributed to our nation's oil crisis and fuel rationing," said UDOT Executive Director John Njord.

Although fatality numbers in Utah dropped in 2009, the majority of them were preventable, Njord said.

"The numbers show great progress, but I will never feel comfortable saying that 245 people died on our roads," he said.

"Even if we get to 100 fatalities or 50 fatalities or five fatalities, we won't be satisfied until we can say that there were zero fatalities on Utah's roads."

The five factors that contribute to the majority of fatal accidents in the state are drowsy driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, impaired driving and not wearing a seat belt, UDOT officials say.

Of the 245 total fatalities in 2009, 19 were fatigue-related, 29 involved impaired drivers, 67 were speed-related, and 96 were attributed to improper seat belt restraint.

"Most law enforcement officers have responded to an accident where someone's life could have been saved by the use of a seat belt," said Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Nigbur.

"It seems simple and it's something people have probably heard all their lives, but a seat belt can save your life, so you should be wearing it at all times."

Many fatalities are also caused when drivers panic and overcorrect, Nigbur said.

"The knee-jerk reaction is to hit the brakes and yank the wheel in the correcting direction," Nigbur said of drivers who are startled.

UDOT officials say 44 percent of all fatalities in 2009 involved rollovers.

Of the 245 fatalities in 2009, 196 were on dry roads. Males were involved in more fatal accidents than females, accounting for 169 deaths.