A driver was killed and five others were injured in a head-on collision near Kane County, Utah in early August. The crash occurred on U.S. 89 after a Lexus passed other vehicles at high speed and then crossed back over the centerline and struck a pickup, according to witnesses.

The Need For Speed

Utah is big. Distances are long. Outside the Salt Lake City-Provo area, people are few. Driving the roads and highways in Utah may tempt one to press the accelerator just a little bit harder. That temptation can extract a high price.

Rural Car Accident Dangers

There are roughly 30 percent more car crash fatalities on rural highways than in urban areas. This is due to various contributing factors, such as speed, narrow roads and sharp curves. Because most of these roads are undivided, they also pose a higher risk for head-on collisions.

The statistics from the Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) indicate that 18 percent of fatal crashes were head-on crashes. Of those head-on crashes

  • 75 percent of head-on crashes occur on rural roads
  • 75 percent of head-on crashes occur on undivided two-lane roads
  • 83 percent of two-lane undivided road crashes occur on rural roads

Head-on crashes are more dangerous, representing a five-times greater risk of death. In 2005, only 2 percent of all crashes were head-on crashes, but 10.1 percent of fatal crashes were head-on collisions.

The analysis of the FARS data indicates that a high percentage of head-on crashes occurs on rural, undivided, two-lane roads, which could lead one to conclude that many head-on crashes are the result of failed attempts by vehicles to pass one another. However, only 4.3 percent of head-on crashes in the study were from passing situations.

Driving on rural highways is dangerous, so we should remember to drive with care and caution to try and avoid the deadly consequences of a head-on collision

Source: 1 dead and 5 injured after head-on collision