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SALT LAKE CITY — As the temperatures rise across the state and summer slowly nears, more pedestrians are hitting the streets in the upcoming weeks.
2015 was the deadliest year for Utah pedestrians involved in vehicle crashes, according to local and national statistics.
And pedestrian safety is an important issue nationwide. Many of these incidents come down to right of way.
At 5,376 total fatalities, pedestrians accounted for roughly 15 percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide in 2015, according to U.S. Department of Transportation statistics. Another 70,000 or so were injured in 2015 crashes.
Pedestrians accounted for nearly 84 percent of deaths among non-occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and more pedestrians died in 2015 than motorcyclists nationwide.
In Utah, 49 pedestrians were killed in 2015 and 2,996 were injured in traffic crashes, according to the Utah Department of Safety. At 1.54 per 100,000, the state ranked 24th in the nation in pedestrian fatality rate, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Delaware topped the nation at 3.70. Florida, New Mexico, South Carolina and Nevada rounded out the top 5. Idaho finished with the lowest rate during that year.
Related:
Who has the right of way? Utah laws regarding bicycles
Statistics tend to show a rise in bicycle-related accidents beginning in May. With that in mind, here are some tips and laws for bicyclists and motorists to help avoid accidents as bicyclists hit the road this summer.According to a state Department of Safety report, the number of pedestrian-related crashes has risen over the past decade — though Utah’s population rose at a steady rate at that same time.
Utah experienced a larger spike in pedestrian deaths in 2015 with the 49 deaths, compared to the 30.3 average over the previous nine years.
Nationally, the total number of deaths has fluctuated but mostly been around the same mark each year. However, the percentage of pedestrians in all traffic fatalities has increased from 2006 to 2015.
The best way to lower the number of crashes, experts say, is to follow simple safety tips. For example, crosswalk safety.
Each state has different rules about crosswalks. So who has the right of way in Utah?
Utah law states motorists must yield to pedestrians crossing roadways within a crosswalk if the pedestrian is “on the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling” or “when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.”
In school crosswalks, a motorist must come to a complete stop if a school speed limit sign has the warning lights operating and if the crosswalk is occupied by a person. Also of note, the law states that if a vehicle is stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross, “the operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear may not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.”
As for crossing the road aside from crosswalks, the law states “a pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway.”
A violation of the rule is an infraction. Pedestrians “may not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk,” in intersections with operational traffic-control signals.
Aside from the law, AAA advises pedestrians to be visible, stay alert and walk in safe places. Drivers are encouraged to also be alert and to pay attention to crosswalks. Both sides are encouraged to avoid the roadways after significant alcohol consumption.
