Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA data, Utah recorded 1,484 traffic deaths in 1,351 fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period — 8.8 per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #43 of 50 states (most dangerous first); the US average is 12.3.
Traffic Deaths (5-Yr Total)
Deaths per 100K per Year
State Rank
Utah Traffic Deaths by Year
The Most Dangerous Utah Cities to Drive In
All 36 ranked Utah cities by Road Danger Score (5-year traffic deaths per 100,000 residents, most dangerous first).
| # | City | Danger Score | Deaths (5-Yr) | Deaths per 100K/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vernal | 97/100 | 13 | 24.3 |
| 2 | Grantsville | 87/100 | 13 | 16.0 |
| 3 | South Salt Lake | 86/100 | 20 | 15.4 |
| 4 | Ogden | 78/100 | 55 | 12.6 |
| 5 | Spanish Fork | 77/100 | 29 | 12.5 |
| 6 | Salt Lake City | 75/100 | 128 | 12.0 |
| 7 | Murray | 72/100 | 28 | 11.4 |
| 8 | Centerville | 63/100 | 8 | 9.8 |
| 9 | West Valley City | 58/100 | 60 | 9.0 |
| 10 | Brigham City | 58/100 | 9 | 9.0 |
| 11 | Pleasant View | 57/100 | 5 | 8.8 |
| 12 | Hurricane | 56/100 | 11 | 8.7 |
| 13 | Cedar City | 52/100 | 17 | 8.2 |
| 14 | Payson | 51/100 | 10 | 8.0 |
| 15 | Tooele City | 50/100 | 16 | 7.9 |
| 16 | Logan | 50/100 | 22 | 7.8 |
| 17 | Roy | 49/100 | 15 | 7.8 |
| 18 | Draper | 49/100 | 19 | 7.7 |
| 19 | St. George | 45/100 | 39 | 7.2 |
| 20 | Taylorsville | 45/100 | 20 | 7.1 |
| 21 | Farmington | 37/100 | 8 | 6.1 |
| 22 | Clearfield | 33/100 | 10 | 5.7 |
| 23 | South Ogden | 33/100 | 5 | 5.6 |
| 24 | American Fork | 28/100 | 13 | 5.2 |
| 25 | Provo | 27/100 | 29 | 5.1 |
| 26 | Washington City | 26/100 | 9 | 5.0 |
| 27 | Kaysville | 25/100 | 8 | 4.9 |
| 28 | West Jordan | 24/100 | 27 | 4.7 |
| 29 | North Salt Lake | 20/100 | 5 | 4.2 |
| 30 | Layton | 17/100 | 16 | 3.8 |
| 31 | Lehi | 17/100 | 18 | 3.8 |
| 32 | Springville | 6/100 | 3 | 1.7 |
| 33 | Pleasant Grove | 5/100 | 3 | 1.6 |
| 34 | South Jordan | 2/100 | 3 | 0.7 |
| 35 | Syracuse | 1/100 | 1 | 0.5 |
| 36 | Bountiful | 1/100 | 1 | 0.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many car accidents happen in Utah?
NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 1,351 fatal car accidents in Utah over the most recent five-year period, killing 1,484 people — an average of 297 traffic deaths per year.
How dangerous are Utah roads compared to other states?
Utah averages 8.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #43 of 50 states (most dangerous first). The US average is 12.3 per 100,000.
What causes fatal car accidents in Utah?
Of Utah's fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period, 25% involved a drinking driver, 31% involved speeding, and 42% happened in dark conditions.
Which Utah city is the most dangerous to drive in?
Among ranked Utah cities, Vernal has the highest Road Danger Score (97/100) at 24.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year.