A 12-year-old Utah girl died and her 15-year-old companion was injured when they were hit by an SUV while riding their bikes against traffic in June.

According to news reports, Santa Clara law enforcement officials said the SUV driver either blacked out or fell asleep at the wheel before hitting the 15-year-old and knocking her into a ditch. The SUV then barrelled into the 12-year-old, who died on the scene from her injuries. The teenager was treated and released from a local hospital. This accident exemplifies the risks bicyclists face on Utah's streets.

Utah Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to the Utah Department of Transportation, on average, six bicyclists die each year on Utah roads, and more than 850 crashes per year involve people on bikes. Distractions and failure to follow the rules of the road by both cyclists and vehicle drivers seem to be a main cause of the accidents.

Drivers should remember that bicyclists have the right to share the roadway - in fact, they are legally prohibited from riding on sidewalks and are supposed to ride on the road. Watch for hand signals for turns, and give bikers a wide berth when passing. Always check behind the car for cyclists before opening the car door when stopped at a curb. Many bicyclists are injured every year in "dooring" accidents when a car passenger opens his or her door right in a cyclist's path.

Conversely, bicyclists should remember to ride with traffic, not against, so drivers can more easily see them from a distance and prepare to pass them safely. Do not ride in the middle of a traffic lane or cut between cars. Never ride on the center dividing line on a two-way road. Do not use a cell phone for talking, texting or listening to music while riding. In a battle for territory between a car and a bike, the bigger, heavier car will always win, so it is important to drive defensively.

Source: 12-year-old girl killed while riding bike with cousin