Utah records deadliest month ever for motorcycle fatalities, officials urge caution on roads

Utah Department of Public Safety encourages motorcyclists to enroll in a safety course. Photo: ridetolive.utah.gov

UTAH — July 2025 has become the deadliest month on record for motorcycle fatalities in Utah, with 14 riders killed in crashes, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS). Officials say the alarming spike underscores an urgent need for both motorcycle riders and drivers to change their habits on the road.

In response to the increase of fatalities, they have created a series of videos helping educate motorcyclists on essential road safety skills. Ride to Live Utah is also offering 25 percent off their motorcycle safety courses this year.

So far this year, 44 motorcyclists have died on Utah roadways. At this pace, 2025 is set to surpass last year’s grim record of 53 fatalities, which was the highest annual toll since 1994.

Despite making up less than three percent of registered vehicles in Utah, motorcycles accounted for nearly one in five roadway deaths last year. Data from DPS shows several troubling patterns this year:

• Only 36.6% of riders killed had a motorcycle license endorsement, meaning the majority were operating without formal certification.

• Fewer than 10% of fatally injured riders had completed a safety course.

• Just 41% were wearing helmets at the time of their crash.

• Speeding was a factor in nearly four in ten deaths, while other top causes included failure to yield, reckless driving, and lane violations.

• “Cruiser”-style motorcycles were involved in 34% of fatalities, more than any other type.

While total roadway fatalities are down by 12 percent this summer, the severity of motorcycle crashes has risen 33 percent, DPS reported.

The human toll was brought into sharp focus for Summit County residents when a 17-year-old local was killed in a motorcycle crash on Weber Canyon Road. The rider was wearing a helmet at the time of his crash.

Under Utah law, helmets are required only for riders under 21, though DPS urges all riders to wear one. In an effort to improve safety, the state has increased penalties for riding without a motorcycle endorsement, with fines at $350. Lane filtering, or moving between cars in slow traffic, is legal under certain conditions, but lane splitting at high speeds remains prohibited.

Officials are calling on drivers and riders to share the road, drive calm, and drive alert.