Traffic Safety and Trends Exam
Beginning on the first day of January, 2016, as mandated by House Bill 147, individuals seeking to obtain a fresh or provisional Class D license will need to successfully clear an additional knowledge examination before being granted a permanent license. This examination delves into pivotal topics surrounding driving safety and highlights the five principal causes of fatalities related to traffic as recognized by the Utah Highway Safety Office. Accompanying each section of the examination, a preparatory video will be furnished to be reviewed prior to tackling the questions pertaining to that section. Each section affords the opportunity for multiple attempts. Upon the successful completion of all sections with a perfect score, the pertinent details will be forwarded to the Driver License Division.
Table 1: Utah Driver Safety Trends
| Subject | Detail |
|---|---|
| Speed-Related Accidents | - 105 deaths in 2021 due to speed alone - Drivers aged 13 to 24 had the highest percentage of total speed-related crashes - More frequent during morning hours (6-9 AM) |
| Leading Contributing Factor | Failure to keep proper lane |
| Frequency | Motor vehicle crash occurs in Utah every eight minutes |
| Moving Over Law | Must slow down and move over for stationary emergency or service vehicles, or face defensive driving course requirement or 90-day license suspension |
| Aggressive Driving | Operating a vehicle in a way that endangers people or property is considered aggressive and illegal. |
| Seat Belt Importance | Wearing a seat belt significantly decreases injuries and deaths in motor vehicle crashes |
Table 2: Driving Safety and Legal Implications in Utah
| Subject | Detail |
|---|---|
| Goal | Zero fatalities on roadways |
| Counties with High Fatalities | Salt Lake, Utah, Millard, Tooele (2021) |
| Alcohol-Related Crashes | - 10.5 times more likely to be fatal in 2021 - 63 deaths in 2021 - Highest occurrence on weekends |
| Drug-Related Crashes | - 33 times more likely to be fatal in 2021 - 95 deaths in 2021 |
| Medication Warning | Read labels, avoid driving if warned, can be arrested for DUI even with prescribed medications |
| License Suspension Causes | Unlawful or fraudulent use, texting violation, DUI or driving-related drug offense conviction |
| Implied Consent Law | Submission to chemical tests for alcohol or drug content if asked by a peace officer |
| License Revocation | - Up to 2 years or more for DUI - 18 months for first refusal of chemical test, 36 months for subsequent refusals |
| Underage Alcohol Detection | Illegal for under 21 to drive with any detectable alcohol, ignition interlock device required upon conviction, remains on record for 10 years |
| DUI Costs | Average of $10,000 including legal fees, fines, higher insurance rates |
| Drowsy Driving | - Accounted for 3% of fatal crashes in 2021 - Danger increased when driving alone, at night, or over 100 miles. Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. |
| Improvement Call | Avoid driving distracted, drowsy, impaired or at high speed |
Table 3: Seat Belt and Distracted Driving Facts
| Subject | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seat Belt Effectiveness | Most effective traffic safety device for preventing death and injury |
| Unrestrained Occupants Risk | 18 times more likely to die in a crash |
| Car Seat Types | - Rear-facing: For infants and children under two, reduces stress on neck and spinal cord - Forward-facing: Limits forward movement |
| Booster Seat Purpose | Positions seat belt properly over stronger parts of a child's body |
| Child Safety Seat Requirement | Children age 8 years and under must ride in an approved child safety seat |
| Legal Implications | - $45 citation for unrestrained occupants - Fine may be waived with a 30-minute online seatbelt safety course |
| High Crash Rate Age Group | Drivers aged 17 and 18 years |
| Distracted Driving Deaths (2021) | 18 deaths, over half were rear-end crashes |
| Common Distractions | Cell phone use and passengers |
| Deadly Driving Behaviors | Speeding, distracted driving, not wearing a seat belt |
| Control Over Safety | Choice to wear a seat belt to enhance safety |
Table 4: Motorcycle and Pedestrian Safety
| Subject | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle Safety | Conscious effort to look for motorcycles can save lives |
| Motorcycle Fatalities (2021) | 41 motorcycle riders killed on roadways |
| Leading Collision Factor | Failing to yield the right-of-way in collisions with motorcycles |
| Common Collision Type | Angle or turning maneuver |
| Helmet Usage | Over one third of motorcyclists in crashes did not wear a helmet, 1.6 times more likely to have fatal injuries without a helmet |
| Visibility Measures | - High visibility colors for daytime - Reflective gear and lights for night |
| Helmet Law in Utah | Anyone under 21 years old riding a motorcycle required to wear a helmet |
| Fatalities Seasonality | Motorcycle fatalities increase during summer months |
| Pedestrian Fatalities (2021) | 46 pedestrian deaths, many in crosswalks when hit |
| Visibility at Night | Wearing reflective clothing and carrying a flashlight |
| Crosswalk Law | Crosswalks exist at every intersection, motorists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians |
| Bicycle-Related Crashes | Leading contributing factor is vehicles making a right turn and not yielding the right-of-way to bicyclists |