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SALT LAKE CITY — More than one hit-and-run crash occurs every minute on U.S. roads. But Utah is far below the national average, according to a new report.
The Beehive State has the fourth-lowest rate of deadly hit-and-runs per capita in the country, trailing only New Hampshire, Maine and Minnesota, according to updated data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Hit-and-run crashes resulted in 2,049 deaths in 2016 — up 60 percent since 2009 — but Utah only witnessed six hit-and-run crashes that year, with at least one fatality. It is the lowest number in the state since 2010 when Utah had five hit-and-run crashes.
“As a safety advocate, AAA wants to bring awareness and identify potential solutions to reduce hit-and-run fatalities,” AAA Utah spokesman Michael Blasky said in an emailed statement. “Utah has been able to buck the national trend, which says a lot about how Utah drivers operate.”
While neighboring state Nevada had 32 hit-and-run crashes in 2016, Utah has never had more than 10. Blasky believes the reason for Utah’s low numbers stems from a plethora of factors, including the behavioral and cultural differences between Utah and its neighboring states.
“Most of the hit-and-run fatal crashes that were cited were young males who were consuming alcohol. Utah is certainly more family-oriented. It’s got a different kind of mindset and culture when it comes to things like drinking,” Blasky told KSL.com.
The study also found vehicles involved in hit-and-runs were typically older models, indicating a lower socioeconomic status.
Traffic volume and urban planning can also affect the number of hit-and-run crashes, and states like Nevada encounter a lot more high-speed night traffic, making them especially dangerous for those biking or walking, Blasky said. Sixty-five percent of the people killed in hit-and-run crashes were pedestrians and bicyclists.
“In these dense, urban cities, every stretch of road is almost like a highway itself. People go 55, 60 mph, and pedestrians are really caught in the crossfire there,” Blasky told KSL.com.
According to AAA, drivers should do the following to avoid being involved in a crash with a pedestrian or bicyclist:
- Be aware: Pedestrians sometimes act unpredictably and can walk into the road at any time.
- Be cautious: Keep a look out for small children and be more alert in areas where there are likely to be more pedestrians or bicyclists.
- Be patient: When trying to pass a pedestrian or cyclist, give them plenty of space and keep them in your line of sight.
- Be vigilant: Always yield to pedestrians, even if they walk into the road where there is no crosswalk.
If a driver is involved in a crash they should:
- Assist the injured: Check for injured people and call 911.
- Be visible: Make sure the scene is visible to approaching drivers. If possible, move vehicles out of the way of traffic and use hazard lights.
- Communicate: Call the police and file a report.
