As of October 4, 2023, vehicle fatalities in Wyoming have reached alarming levels, totaling 31 deaths this year compared to 16 in 2022, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
In a tragic start to the year, a wrong-way crash on January 22, 2023, on Interstate 80 in Carbon County resulted in five deaths and one critical injury. The incident involved Utah resident Author Nelson, 57, driving against traffic.
Wyoming experienced 114 fatal crashes in 2020, leading to 127 deaths, making it the state with the second-highest vehicle death rate per 100,000 people, at 22. By comparison, the national average was 11.7 deaths per 100,000.
Authorities noted that the small population of Wyoming contributes to fluctuating fatality statistics, as a few additional fatalities can significantly alter the state’s rate. “With our low population, if we have an additional 25 fatalities, that can jump our fatality rate a quarter above what it was the previous year,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation spokesperson Jordan Achs.
The majority of deadly crashes in Wyoming involve single-vehicle rollovers, accounting for 60% of all fatal incidents. In 2020, 76 single-vehicle crashes were reported. Fatalities primarily occur on rural highways, with 80% of vehicle fatalities happening in these areas.
In terms of safety policy, Wyoming received low ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety due to its lack of helmet laws for adult motorcyclists and its secondary seatbelt enforcement policy. In 2020, 47% of crash fatalities in Wyoming were reported to have been restrained, compared to 44% nationwide.
Ongoing safety initiatives by WYDOT include enhancements to roadside safety features, with recent projects aimed at improving high-risk areas and redesigning intersections across the state.