Utah Crash Summary, 2001

NHTSA · 2001 · ROSA P / Utah. Dept. of Public Safety

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Summary

The "Utah Crash Summary, 2001" is an annual report produced by the Utah Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) at the University of Utah School of Medicine. The report aims to identify trends and contributing factors in traffic crashes to assist safety specialists and public health personnel in targeting interventions to reduce injuries and fatalities. The data is derived from law enforcement crash reports collected by the Utah Department of Transportation, excluding private property crashes since 1997, and supplemented by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System for fatal incidents. The report analyzes 52,704 motor vehicle crashes in Utah during 2001, resulting in 29,375 injuries and 292 fatalities. The total crash rate was 225.2 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, representing a 5% decrease from 2000 and the lowest rate in 30 years. Fatal crash rates declined by 20% from the previous year. The analysis covers various demographics and crash types, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, teenage drivers, and incidents involving alcohol, drugs, or speeding. Key metrics include crash frequency by time and location, injury severity, and specific contributing factors such as seatbelt usage and helmet use. Key findings indicate that while overall crash rates declined, specific groups remain at high risk. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists experienced injury or death in 94.8%, 92.9%, and 85.7% of their respective crashes, compared to 21.5% for all crash participants. Only 33.6% of motorcyclists involved in crashes were wearing helmets. Teenage drivers (ages 15–19) had the highest crash rates per licensed driver; crashes involving teenage drivers with four or more occupants were 3.5 times more likely to be fatal. Speeding was a factor in 8,120 crashes and 86 fatalities, while alcohol and drug involvement accounted for 2,144 crashes and 61 fatalities, a 32% decrease from 2000. Seatbelt use was reported in 93.5% of crashes, but unbelted occupants were 17 times more likely to die than belted ones. Rural crashes were three times more likely to result in fatality than urban crashes. The report concludes that motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death and disability in Utah. Despite significant long-term reductions in crash rates attributed to safety legislation, improved roadway design, and vehicle safety features, specific issues require continued attention. The authors highlight the need for focused efforts on teenage driver safety, occupant protection, and addressing speeding and impaired driving. The data supports the efficacy of graduated driver licensing laws and seatbelt mandates but underscores the persistent vulnerability of unprotected road users like pedestrians and motorcyclists.

Key finding

In 2001, Utah experienced 52,704 motor vehicle crashes resulting in 292 fatalities, with rural crashes being three times more likely to result in death than urban crashes and unbelted occupants being 17 times more likely to sustain fatal injuries than belted occupants.

Methodology

dataset

Provenance

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Topics

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• incidence prevalence
• demographic disparities
• fatality injury trends
• comparative international
• vru crash typology
• sex gender

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes, observational prevalence