SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Department of Public Safety have announced that traffic fatalities are down significantly during this year’s “100 Deadliest Days” — the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
In preliminary numbers released in August, officials said that fatalities are down nearly 10% year-to-date, with an 18% decrease in summer deaths. John Gleason, UDOT’s Public Relations Director, said this is encouraging news but urged Utahns to help keep the number moving in the right direction through the busy Labor Day weekend.
One area of concern for officials this year has been a 36% increase in motorcycle fatalities. Jason Mettmann, DPS communications manager, said riders can protect themselves by wearing gear and riding defensively, and drivers can do their part by staying alert and giving motorcyclists space.
Mettmann said everyone has a role in preventing tragedies. UDOT and DPS are reminding Utahns to focus on the basics this holiday weekend, such as wearing a seatbelt, following the speed limit, driving sober, and putting distractions away.