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WEST VALLEY CITY — Just over 15% of deaths from motor vehicle crashes in Utah in 2023 involved motorcycles — with motorcycle crashes 9.2 times more likely to result in a fatality than auto crashes.
Utah Department of Public Safety and other Utah law enforcement are urging drivers and motorcyclists to "Meet in the Middle," in a new campaign to reduce fatalities on Utah roads.
"We call motorcyclists 'vulnerable users' for a purpose; that's because they are more likely to get killed or injured," said Utah Highway Patrol Maj. Jeff Nigbur, who spent 18 years on the UHP Motor Squad and now serves as an instructor for new officers entering the Motor Squad. "That also includes bicyclists and pedestrians — we need to be able to use the roads together safely."
Utah Department of Public Safety on Wednesday launched the campaign, emphasizing the shared responsibility motorcyclists and drivers have, to ensure the safety of each other. The campaign's main takeaway is that drivers and motorcyclists should enroll in rider skills courses, regardless of their skill level.
"When it comes to motorcycles, we definitely encourage taking rider skill courses," Nigbur said. "We have beginners that decide to buy a 1,300 pound Harley and ride it that day — they don't have a motorcycle endorsement or training, so that's what's most concerning to us."
Nigbur also wants to remind aspiring motorcyclists that riding on Utah roads without a motorcycle endorsement is illegal, even though new motorcycle riders often do it.
Drivers are warned to keep a sharp eye on the road as motorcycles may be hard to spot and may be traveling at different speeds depending on the circumstance. Drivers are also encouraged to restrain from engaging in road rage and remember to share the road with motorcycles. One example from Nigbur is lane splitting, where motorcyclists travel between cars in traffic to avoid being rear-ended and to avoid causing further traffic buildup.
Motorcyclists, even seasoned riders, are encouraged to take advantage of driver's skill courses available to them, and to take them often, to continue strengthening their skills on a bike — as it may end up saving lives.
"I was driving down the road, and I saw a driver come out to take a left-hand turn in front of me, and sure enough, that vehicle pulled out in front of me for that left-hand turn," Nigbur said, recalling a time when his driver skills came in handy. "Luckily, because of my training, I was able to shut that massive bike down and make an evasive maneuver so that I didn't end up on the ground."
It's imperative motorcyclists take the proper safety precautions and training to be able to react when an unexpected situation on the road endangers their life. West Valley City police officer Dana Pugmire, who works on the city's motor squad, learned firsthand in 2011 that circumstances can quickly become dangerous for motorcyclists on the road.
While attempting to pull over a speeding car, the chase approached an intersection where a car waiting to turn left had not seen Pugmire approaching on his motorcycle and ended up colliding with Pugmire while he was travelling at speeds of around 55 mph. The ensuing collision launched Pugmire 70 feet into the air before he landed on his head and slid another 30 feet into a ditch. Miraculously, Pugmire survived the accident and would reenter full service less than a year later.
"One exercise we do in motor school is called the 'Break and Escape' and it's a 40-mph exercise where you slow down to almost zero, so you can make two 90-degree turns. It's meant to simulate someone slamming their brakes in front of you in traffic," Pugmire explained.
Pugmire explained the most crucial tip he has for drivers is to be mindful of motorcyclists and keep a constant eye on road and traffic conditions.
"The number one thing I can say is to just look. Take that extra second, even if you're in a hurry, to make sure there is no one there. If you check once, check twice and if you check twice, you may as well check three times," Pugmire said, explaining the ways he wants drivers to protect motorcyclists, as well as how they're often travelling through traffic at a different speed than cars.
"While it may seem like a motorcycle is far enough way, sometimes they're not. You don't want to have that on your conscience that you caused the injury or death of another person because you were in a hurry or distracted," Pugmire advised.
