WFRC safety report: serious injuries up; intersections identified as top regional risk

Fariba Sultani, WFRC safety analyst, presented the Wasatch Front Regional Council's annual safety report and the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CESAP), emphasizing the council's safety objective: "fatalities and serious injuries are preventable." Sultani told the committee the council has set a target of reducing fatalities and serious injuries by 2.5% annually with a goal of a 50% reduction by 2040.

Sultani said regional data show a decline in fatalities since 2022 but a notable increase in serious injuries; she reported serious injuries in 2025 at about 1,000 and said that trend keeps the region short of its safety target. "While fatalities have decreased since 2022, the number of serious injuries has increased substantially," she said.

The analysis finds intersection‑involved crashes are the most frequent contributing factor across subregions of the Wasatch Front. Sultani displayed regional and subregional tables demonstrating intersection involvement as the leading risk factor and encouraged local jurisdictions to use the CESAP GIS maps to identify high‑risk intersections and pursue available state, federal and local funding sources for safety projects.

Wayne Benon, WFRC staff, clarified that TransCom adopted the CESAP in April and that the underlying data cover 2018–2022; he said the analysis combines crash history and identified risk factors and remains relevant unless jurisdictions have implemented corrective measures.

What this means: committee members were urged to prioritize intersection improvements and use CESAP tools and competitive grant opportunities (Safe Streets for All, Highway Safety Improvement Program, other funding) to address high‑risk locations; staff offered technical assistance to jurisdictions.