Utah traffic fatalities were lower in 2008 compared to the previous year, according to unofficial figures. And if the numbers hold, 2008 will go down as having the fewest deaths in 16 years.

Preliminary data show 271 people died on Utah roads last year, 18 fewer than in 2007 when traffic accidents claimed 299 lives. In 1992, there were 269 deaths. Final numbers will be available in February.

An official total for this year's fatalities will be available in February, but so far things are looking good for 2008, said Gary Mower, Utah Department of Public Safety research analyst. There were 287 such deaths in 2006.

Sometimes people injured in a traffic accident in one calendar year will linger in the hospital and then die the next year, so a 30-day interval is included in the calculations, he said.

Mower has some suggestions as to why there were fewer roadway deaths this year, although he acknowledges many factors influence the figures from one year to the next.

"The most common theory is that people drove less because of higher gas prices," Mower said.

"The death rate going down for several years can also be attributed to higher seat belt usage and more car seat use for children and infants. There also are a lot of traffic safety programs going on throughout Utah. There also has been legislation for graduated driver's licensing (for new drivers) and a lot of DUI legislation," he said.

Other factors may include the way Utah has engineered its roadways and car manufacturers building vehicles that can better absorb the impact of a crash.

"We also have better medical response and treatment, and that helps as well," he said.

The numbers include accidents involving pedestrians, bicyclists, cars and motorcycles.

One unusual note: There were two more more motorcycle deaths (35 in unofficial numbers) in 2008 than in the previous year. If the 2008 number holds for another 30 days, that will match the highest number of motorcycle deaths since 1985.

Mower said that generally there is a spike in motorcycle deaths for people ages 20 to 24, then it levels off until there is another spike for people ages 45 and up.

A common theory for the increase in fatal accidents is that that there are more people riding motorcycles now — again possibly due to gas prices.

If Mower had to give advice it would be slow down, buckle up and go sober.

"The biggest reason why people die is because of speed. It's simple physics: The faster you are going, the more likely you are to have an accident that results in injury or death," he said. "Speed is the largest contributing factor for deaths, then unbelted occupants, and then alcohol and drug use."

E-mail: lindat@desnews.com