Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in Utah. This page compiles data from the Utah Department of Public Safety, NHTSA, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). BAM Injury Law updates this reference annually.
Utah Distracted Driving: Key Data Points
- Utah DPS crash data lists distracted driving as a contributing factor in an estimated 1 in 5 crashes statewide each year.
- NHTSA estimates that distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives nationally in the most recently reported year -- roughly 9 people per day.
- Texting while driving is the most dangerous form of distraction. At 55 mph, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for approximately 5 seconds -- the equivalent of driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
- Teen drivers (ages 16-19) are involved in distracted-driving crashes at higher rates than any other age group.
- Hands-free phone use is not illegal in Utah for most drivers, but research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that hands-free calls still create cognitive distraction that impairs reaction time.
Utah Distracted Driving Law
Utah has one of the stricter handheld device laws in the nation:
- Utah Code Section 41-6a-1716 prohibits using a handheld wireless device while driving.
- A first offense carries a fine of up to $100. If distracted driving causes a crash, penalties escalate significantly.
- If distracted driving causes a fatality, the driver may be charged with automobile homicide (Utah Code Section 76-5-207), a second-degree felony carrying up to 15 years in prison.
- Utah's distracted driving law applies to reading, writing, and sending electronic messages. This includes texting, email, and social media use.
How Distracted Driving Affects Your Injury Claim
Proving the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash strengthens your negligence claim. Evidence used to establish distracted driving includes:
- Cell phone records: Subpoenaed carrier records show exactly when the driver was sending or receiving messages or calls at the moment of impact.
- Witness statements: Bystanders or passengers who observed the driver looking at a phone before impact.
- Dashcam or surveillance footage: Video from traffic cameras, business security systems, or dashcams can capture phone use directly.
- Social media activity logs: Posts or stories timestamped at the time of the crash establish phone use.
- Event Data Recorder (EDR/black box): Shows brake application (or lack thereof) immediately before impact, consistent with a driver who did not see the hazard.
Under Utah Code Section 78B-5-818, a driver whose distraction contributed to the crash is liable for your damages proportional to their share of fault -- as long as their fault exceeds 50%.
Most Common Distracted Driving Scenarios BAM Injury Law Sees
- Rear-end collisions on I-15 and State Street where the at-fault driver was texting at a stoplight or slow-traffic merge
- Intersection T-bone crashes where a driver ran a red light while looking at a phone
- Sideswipe crashes on Bangerter Highway and I-215 where a driver drifted lanes mid-text
- Pedestrian and cyclist strikes in Murray and Salt Lake City near high-traffic crosswalks
If You Were Hit by a Distracted Driver
Act quickly. Cell carriers typically retain detailed call and text records for 12 to 18 months, and some retain less. The sooner an attorney sends a preservation letter, the stronger your case.
BAM Injury Law represents distracted driving accident victims throughout Utah and Idaho. Attorney Kigan Martineau handles every case personally. No fee unless we win. Call (801) 839-5652.
Sources
- Utah Department of Public Safety -- Crash Summary Reports
- NHTSA -- Distracted Driving (annual)
- IIHS -- Distracted Driving Fact Sheet
- AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety -- Cognitive Distraction Studies
- Utah Code Ann. §§ 41-6a-1716, 76-5-207, 78B-5-818
