Utah Drivers Pass More Safely Than Most States In The Country

I'm not the most patient driver. A check with my wife will confirm this fact. Fortunately, most of my driving is either in town, or up and down I-15 and various points along the way. But, that doesn't mean I don't spend a portion of my time on our rural two lane highways (how else would I get out to Rachel?).

Ever been stuck behind a slow moving driver on a two lane road? Ever get frustrated in that situation? I feel you. That said, I've seen drivers passing in situations (and yes, sometimes I have been the passee) that were, well, frankly insane. I figured these white knuckle passers would figure as a major factor in traffic fatalities in the Beehive state.

Well, it turns out we're among the nation's safest drivers when it comes to one of the riskiest moves behind the wheel.

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A new study by Easton & Easton, LLP ranked Utah among the 10 safest states for fatal crashes involving overtaking maneuvers. The study examined fatal crash data from 2020 through 2024, calculating each state's average annual number of fatal passing-related crashes per one million residents.

Utah Below National Average In Fatalities Involving Passing

Utah finished 41st in the rankings, meaning only nine states had lower fatal overtaking crash rates. The state averaged 8.2 fatal passing crashes per year during the five-year period, translating to 2.42 crashes per one million residents. That's comfortably below the national average of 3.84.

Then there's Wyoming.

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Our neighbor to the northeast claimed the dubious distinction of being the nation's most dangerous state for fatal overtaking crashes, with a rate of 9.62 per one million residents—nearly two and a half times the national average. Montana and New Mexico rounded out the top three.

Of course, Wyoming remains a wonderful place to visit. Just remember that if you're headed there this summer, the antelope aren't the only things moving fast. The scenery is beautiful, the speed limit can be tempting, and passing another vehicle is one of those decisions that's worth postponing until you're absolutely certain it's safe. Arriving a few minutes later is almost always better than becoming part of next year's statistics.

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Researchers found many of the highest-ranking states share something in common: rural highways with long stretches of open road where drivers have more opportunities—and more temptation—to pass slower vehicles. The Mountain West and Northern Plains generally posted higher fatal overtaking crash rates than the rest of the country.

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It's also worth noting that the study measures crashes against each state's population rather than the number of licensed drivers or miles traveled. That's an important distinction for states like Utah, which welcomes millions of visitors each year. Tourists exploring the state's scenic highways can be involved in fatal crashes that count toward Utah's total, even though they aren't Utah residents. A study based on vehicle miles traveled could produce somewhat different rankings.

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Still, the results suggest Utah motorists are doing something right. Let's keep proving it every time we get behind the wheel. And if your summer travels take you across the Wyoming border, consider this your friendly reminder: there's no trophy for the fastest pass, but there is plenty of satisfaction in making it home safely.