Call for safer roads in Utah during a vigil honoring those died in traffic accidents

Salt Lake City, Utah – Many people found Sunday to be a somber World Remembrance Day for victims of traffic accidents, particularly those who attended a candlelight vigil in Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park.

According to Micki Harris of Save Not Pave, “it only takes a second, taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds, and you could be changing someone’s life forever.”
The city of Salt Lake is renowned for being bike-friendly and walkable.

“The town is very bikeable due to its wide streets and the two percent grade of the Wasatch Front behind me,” Lucas Matelich of Unplugged Wellness remarked.

Advocates for pedestrians, such as Sweet Streets and Bike Utah, are requesting that the state and municipalities improve safety.

“Maybe narrowing the road a little bit creating some roundabouts, for example, they slow down because they create something where a driver actually needs to steer and go around something and pay attention,” Eric Kraan, a board member of Sweet Streets, said.

Due to road violence, Harris has lost two family members.

A woman was attempting to finish her Christmas shopping when she came down. She recalled, “I was in a hurry and didn’t see my little grandma in the crosswalk.” “We had a funeral instead of celebrating the holidays after he hit and killed her.”

She also lost her sister-in-law in an accident, Harris said.

She was tragically struck and murdered while cycling. Nothing that no family should have to go through.

People came together on World Remembrance Day to honor and remember those who died in traffic accidents and to urge drivers to slow down and put away their distractions.

“Anyone who has had someone be affected by this, it’s devastating and it’s the biggest part is that it’s unnecessary,” Matelich stated.

“All of these deaths could have been avoided due to traffic,” Harris continued, “and if we keep constructing hazardous roads, people will continue to die and families will continue to suffer.”

Harris is currently on a quest to improve the state’s transportation system.

“To continue fighting for better road design, better infrastructure, slower traffic, and life safety.”