Over the past several years, there has been a steady decline of fatalities on Utah roads. According to the Utah Department of Transportation, UDOT, there were 238 Utah traffic fatalities in 2009. This is down from a reported 276 fatalities in 2008 and 299 fatalities in 2007. Tragically, several hundred car accidents and three of the fatalities on Utah highways were caused by the two day snow storm that hit the Salt Lake Valley last week. While UDOT attributes this decline of car accident related deaths to increased driver education and the Utah Zero Fatalities campaign. However, authorities also stress that many of these motor vehicle accidents were preventable if drivers were more conscious of the weather conditions that affect Utah roads. This means slowing down when the road are wet or icy. Also, be sure to switch your vehicle’s tires to snow tires which are less susceptible to slipping or locking in Utah’s winter weather conditions.

Zero Fatalities reports that the major causes of Utah fatal car accidents in 2009 were:

• Improper Restraint Despite the Utah Law which stipulates that Utah drivers must buckle up, many drivers continue to not wear their seat belts. Another common problem is that parents fail to properly install their child’s car seat.
• Drowsy Driving Many drivers are unaware that drowsy driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Aggressive Driving It is important to drive in manner that is mindful of other drivers and pedestrians.
• Distracted Driving Texting, music and talking while driving can take your attention off the road and increase your risk of being in an automobile accident.
• Impaired Driving Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is a crime as well as a major cause of car accident deaths.

While it is good news to see the number of car accident fatalities is in decline, we think with increased diligence while driving, we can reach the initiative of Zero Fatalities in Utah.