Highway Safety
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In an average year in Utah, 6 bicyclists are killed and nearly 850 are involved in crashes with motor vehicles. Nearly 60% of bicyclists involved in a bicycle/motor vehicle crash are younger than 20 years of age and more than three-fourths (79%) are male. For the years 1996-2005, Utah had the 15th highest bicycle fatality rate in the nation.
Head injury is the most common serious injury from bicycle-motor vehicle crashes. Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85% (New England Journal of Medicine). A statewide helmet observational survey conducted in Utah in 2007 showed that 23% of elementary school-age bicyclists, 14% of secondary school-age bicyclists, and 58% of adult bicyclists wear bicycle helmets. Download the Bicycle Helmet Use in Utah, 2008 fact sheet and the Bicycle Helmet Use in Utah, 1994-2003 report.
Bicycle crashes cost victims and communities millions of dollars annually. In Utah in 2005, costs to treat bicyclists injured in crashes with motor vehicles at emergency departments and admitted to the hospital exceeded $6.8 million.
By obeying the rules of the road, nearly all bicycle-motor vehicle crashes are preventable.
ROAD RESPECT PROGRAM
UDOT, Zero Fatalities and the Highway Safety Office have launched a new education program about car and bike safety called Road Respect: Car & Bike Rules to Live By. For more information, visit the website roadrespect.utah.gov and find the program on Facebook.
QUESTIONS?
For more information, please contact
Keri Gibson
Program Manager
Utah Highway Safety Office
801-243-7571