Fatal Crashes Only
This report covers fatal crashes only, from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System — the federal census of every crash on a US public road that killed someone within 30 days. It does not include injury or property-damage-only crashes, and its totals are not comparable with the all-severity crash reports published elsewhere on this site.
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YEAR-OVER-YEAR CRASH REPORT · UTAH · 2023
Purpose: Machine-readable JSON endpoint for AI agents, LLMs, researchers, and programmatic consumers. Returns all underlying crash data and AI-generated commentary without HTML.
Authentication: None required. Public endpoint.
GET: https://thatcarhitme.com/api/crash-data/reports/data/utah/fatal/statewide/2023-annual-report
Yearly Traffic Safety Analysis
251 CRASHES IN
UTAH
2023
The state experienced a 15.2% decrease in fatal crashes, falling from 296 in 2022 to 251 in 2023. Total fatalities also declined by 12.2%, from 319 to 280. A notable shift was the 32.0% reduction in DUI-related fatal crashes.
251
▼ -15.2%was 296
Total Crash Events
280
▼ -12.2%was 319
Persons Killed
189
▼ -25.3%was 253
Persons Injured
17
▲ 13.3%was 15
Hit-and-Run Crashes
Note: "Persons Killed" (280) counts individual fatalities across all crash events. "Fatal" in the severity table below (251) counts crash events where at least one fatality occurred. A single crash can result in multiple fatalities.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Aggregate counts from crash, person, and vehicle records
Trend Summary
Fatal crashes decreased by 15.2% from 296 in 2022 to 251 in 2023. Total fatalities also saw a decline, dropping by 12.2% from 319 in 2022 to 280 in 2023, indicating an overall downward trend in traffic fatalities.
17
Hit-and-Run Crashes — 2023
▲ 13.3% vs prior (15)
The number of hit-and-run fatal crashes increased from 15 in 2022 to 17 in 2023, representing a 13.3% increase. The hit-and-run rate also rose from 5.1% of all fatal crashes in 2022 to 6.8% in 2023, indicating an upward trend.
Vulnerable Road User Casualties
38
Pedestrians Killed
9
Cyclists Killed
231
Motorists Killed
2
Other Killed
3
Pedestrians Injured
0
Cyclists Injured
185
Motorists Injured
1
Other Injured
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Mode classified from person records (driver/passenger → motorist; pedestrian; bicyclist → cyclist; in-line skater / unspecified → other)
When Crashes Happen
The peak day for fatal crashes shifted from Saturday in 2022, with 53 fatal crashes, to Friday in 2023, with 46 fatal crashes. Similarly, the peak hour for fatal crashes moved from 4 p.m. in 2022 (23 fatal crashes) to 5 p.m. in 2023 (22 fatal crashes), indicating a slight shift in the timing of peak crash activity.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash date field aggregated by weekday
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash time field aggregated by hour (0-23)
Road & Environmental Conditions
Fatal crashes occurring in clear weather conditions decreased from 207 in 2022 to 180 in 2023, and those in rainy conditions dropped from 16 to 6. Conversely, fatal crashes in snowy conditions saw a slight increase from 9 to 11. Regarding lighting, fatal crashes during daylight hours decreased from 160 to 134, while those in dark, unlighted conditions decreased from 77 to 60.
Weather
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Weather condition at time of crash
Lighting
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Lighting condition field
Vehicles & Demographics
The leading vehicle make involved in fatal crashes shifted from Toyota (49) in 2022 to Ford (54) in 2023. Chevrolet remained a prominent make, decreasing from 48 fatal crashes in 2022 to 37 in 2023. Toyota, while no longer the top make, still accounted for 30 fatal crashes in 2023, down from 49 in the prior year.
Top Vehicle Makes (404 vehicles)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
7 persons with unknown or unrecorded age excluded from age chart.
Sex Distribution (628 persons with recorded sex)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Speed Limit Zones
Fatal crashes at 65 mph speed limits slightly increased from 32 in 2022 to 35 in 2023, becoming the highest count for the current period. Fatal crashes at 40 mph zones increased from 21 to 33, while those at 80 mph zones decreased from 22 to 19. Overall, there was a noticeable increase in fatal crashes occurring in 40 mph zones and a decrease in 70 mph zones, which dropped from 21 to 16 fatal crashes.
Fatal crashes by zone: 25 mph: 7 of 7 (100%) · 30 mph: 10 of 10 (100%) · 35 mph: 18 of 18 (100%) · 40 mph: 33 of 33 (100%) · 45 mph: 18 of 18 (100%) · 50 mph: 12 of 12 (100%) · 55 mph: 17 of 17 (100%) · 60 mph: 13 of 13 (100%) · 65 mph: 35 of 35 (100%) · 70 mph: 16 of 16 (100%) · 75 mph: 4 of 4 (100%) · 80 mph: 19 of 19 (100%)
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Posted speed limit at crash location
Manner of Collision
The most common manner of fatal collision in both periods was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport', accounting for 138 fatal crashes (55%) in 2023, down from 190 fatal crashes (64.2%) in 2022. Angle collisions increased slightly from 49 fatal crashes in 2022 to 50 in 2023. Front-to-front collisions also saw a small rise from 32 fatal crashes to 35 year-over-year.
Manner of Collision
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Vehicle Type
The most frequent vehicle body type involved in fatal crashes was the '4-door sedan, hardtop', decreasing from 122 in 2022 to 87 in 2023. Fatal crashes involving two-wheel motorcycles decreased from 45 to 38 year-over-year. Conversely, fatal crashes involving truck-tractors increased significantly from 21 in 2022 to 32 in 2023.
Vehicle Type
Showing top 9 of 29 reported. 20 additional (68 total) not shown: Minivan (Chrysler Town and Country, Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Voyager, Honda-Odyssey, ...), Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle, 2-door sedan,hardtop,coupe, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 19,501 to 26,000 lbs.), Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR greater than 26,000 lbs.), Unknown body type, 3-door/2-door hatchback, Single-unit straight truck or Cab-Chassis (GVWR range 10,001 to 19,500 lbs.), Convertible(excludes sun-roof,t-bar), Large Van-Includes van-based buses (B150-B350, Sportsman, Royal Maxiwagon, Ram, Tradesman,...), Utility station wagon (includes suburban limousines, Suburban, Travellall, Grand Wagoneer), Three-wheel Motorcycle (2 Rear Wheels), Other or Unknown automobile type, Other motored cycle type (mini-bikes, pocket motorcycles "pocket bikes"), Other Bus Type, Step van (GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs.), Farm equipment other than trucks, Off-road Motorcycle, Medium/Heavy Vehicle Based Motor Home, School Bus.
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Rural vs Urban
In 2023, 98 fatal crashes occurred in rural areas, representing 39.0% of all fatal crashes, an increase from 102 fatal crashes (34.5%) in rural areas in 2022. Rural roads carry a disproportionate share of fatalities relative to their traffic volume; the rural share of fatal crashes was 39.0% in 2023, up from 34.5% in 2022.
Rural vs Urban
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Functional Class
In 2023, 'Other Principal Arterial' roadways accounted for the highest number of fatal crashes with 106, a decrease from 117 fatal crashes on 'Principal Arterial - Other' roadways in 2022. Interstate fatal crashes decreased from 53 to 44, and Minor Arterial fatal crashes decreased from 50 to 35. Major Collector roadways maintained a consistent 36 fatal crashes in both periods.
Roadway Functional Class
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Roadway Ownership
The 'State Highway Agency' owned trafficways continued to have the highest number of fatal crashes, though decreasing from 204 in 2022 to 180 in 2023. Fatal crashes on 'City or Municipal Highway Agency' roads also saw a decrease, from 61 to 53. Fatal crashes on 'County Highway Agency' roads decreased from 19 to 13.
Roadway Ownership
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Type
Drivers remained the most common person type involved in fatal crashes, with their count decreasing from 471 in 2022 to 402 in 2023. Pedestrian involvement in fatal crashes decreased from 49 to 41, and bicyclist involvement decreased from 16 to 9. Passenger involvement also saw a decrease from 227 to 172 year-over-year.
Person Type
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Person Injury Severity
The number of persons with fatal injuries (K) decreased from 319 in 2022 to 280 in 2023. Similarly, persons with serious injuries (A) decreased from 95 to 69, and those with minor injuries (B) decreased from 90 to 68. The total number of injured persons (A, B, C, U) decreased from 253 in 2022 to 189 in 2023.
Person Injury Severity
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Occupant Safety Equipment
The number of persons using 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' in fatal crashes decreased from 406 in 2022 to 327 in 2023. Similarly, the count of persons with 'None Used/Not Applicable' safety equipment also decreased from 189 in 2022 to 171 in 2023. This indicates a general decrease in both restrained and unrestrained persons involved in fatal crashes.
Occupant Safety Equipment
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Person-level records linked to crash events
Point of Impact
The '12 Clock Point' (front impact) remained the most common point of impact in fatal crashes, decreasing from 267 in 2022 to 220 in 2023. 'Non-Collision' events also saw a significant decrease from 54 to 29. Conversely, fatal crashes with impact at the '3 Clock Point' (right side) increased from 11 in 2022 to 25 in 2023.
Point of Impact
"Other" combines 11 smaller categories (46 records): 10 Clock Point (9), 2 Clock Point (8), 7 Clock Point (5), 4 Clock Point (5), 5 Clock Point (5), Top (4), Reported as Unknown (3), Left (2), 8 Clock Point (2), Undercarriage (2), Left-Back Side (1).
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Vehicle unit records
Vehicles Per Crash
Single-vehicle fatal crashes decreased from 167 in 2022 to 121 in 2023, while two-vehicle fatal crashes increased from 96 to 104. Fatal crashes involving three vehicles slightly increased from 16 to 17. There were no fatal crashes involving 6 or 10 vehicles in 2023, compared to 2 and 1 respectively in 2022.
Vehicles Per Crash
Source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · Federal fatal-crash census · 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31 · Crash-level records
Data Sources & Methodology
Primary Data Source
All crash data in this report is sourced from NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), accessed programmatically via the NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SODA). This dataset contains official police-reported motor vehicle traffic crash records maintained by the reporting jurisdiction's law enforcement agency. Records are published to the open data portal by the municipality and are subject to the portal's terms of use.
Data Retrieval
- Access method: NHTSA FARS Open Data API (SoQL queries)
- Data format: Structured JSON via REST API
- Record types queried: Crash events, person records, and vehicle unit records
- Date filter applied: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31
- Report generated: August 5, 2026
Data Coverage
- Reporting period: 2023-01-01 through 2023-12-31 (365 days)
- Geographic scope: Utah
- Total crash records analyzed: 251
- Total persons involved: 631
- Total vehicles involved: 404
Analytical Methodology
- Severity classification: Uses the KABCO injury scale (K=Fatal, A=Incapacitating injury, B=Non-incapacitating injury, C=Possible injury, O=No injury/property damage only), the standard classification in U.S. Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC). Severity is assigned per crash event based on the most severe injury in that crash. A single fatal crash (K) may involve multiple fatalities; therefore the "Persons Killed" count in the headline KPIs may differ from the "Fatal" crash count in the severity breakdown.
- Contributing factors: Reflect the officer-determined primary contributory cause recorded at the time of the crash report. These are preliminary determinations and may not reflect final investigation findings.
- Hit-and-run classification: Based on the hit-and-run indicator field in the official crash report, as determined by the responding officer at the scene.
- Temporal analysis: Day-of-week and hour-of-day distributions are computed from the crash date/time timestamp in each record.
- Demographics: Age and sex distributions are drawn from person-level records linked to each crash event. A single crash may involve multiple persons.
- Vehicle data: Make information is drawn from vehicle unit records linked to each crash event.
- AI commentary: Narrative sections are generated by Google Gemini (large language model) based on the structured data. Commentary is descriptive, not predictive, and should not be interpreted as expert opinion.
Limitations & Disclaimers
- Only crashes reported to and documented by law enforcement are included. Minor incidents, unreported crashes, and near-misses are not captured in this dataset.
- Data reflects conditions at the time of the initial police report and may be subject to subsequent corrections, reclassifications, or supplements by the reporting agency.
- Open data portal records may experience a publication lag - recently occurring crashes may not yet appear in the dataset at the time of report generation.
- AI-generated commentary is produced by a large language model and is intended to highlight patterns in the data. It does not constitute legal, medical, or professional analysis.
- Percentages are calculated from reported data and are subject to rounding.
Non-Affiliation Disclosure
This report is produced independently by ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in partnership with any law enforcement agency, municipal government, state department of transportation, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Data is sourced from publicly available government open data portals.
Data License
The underlying crash data is provided under the municipality's Open Data Terms of Use and is made available to the public for unrestricted use. This analysis and report is © 2026 Injuria.ai and may be cited with attribution using the suggested citation below.
Corrections & Feedback
If you believe any data in this report is inaccurate or have questions about our methodology, please contact: data@injuria.ai. We are committed to accuracy and will issue corrections promptly.
Suggested Citation
ThatCarHitMe.com (Injuria.ai). "Utah Crash Intelligence Report: 2023." Published August 5, 2026. Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31. Data source: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes), NHTSA FARS Open Data. Available at: https://thatcarhitme.com/crash-data/utah/fatal/statewide/2023-annual-report
About the Publisher
ThatCarHitMe.com is a crash data intelligence platform developed by Injuria.ai, a legal technology company specializing in traffic safety analytics. We aggregate and analyze publicly available government crash data to produce structured intelligence reports for communities, researchers, journalists, and legal professionals. Our reports combine programmatic data retrieval from official open data portals with AI-assisted narrative analysis.
Questions about this report's data or methodology: data@injuria.ai
ThatCarHitMe.com · An Injuria.ai Company
ThatCarHitMe.com
An Injuria.ai Company
Crash Data Intelligence
Data: NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crashes) · NHTSA FARS
Period: 2023-01-01 – 2023-12-31
Generated: August 5, 2026 · All rights reserved
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