Families share stories of teens who lost their lives on Utah roads

16th Teen Memoriam honors teens and highlights GDL laws for teens and parents

Last year, 38 teenagers were killed on Utah roads. As part of National Teen Driver Safety Week, the families of some of those teens gathered to share the stories of their loved ones and to encourage others to learn and follow the laws meant to keep Utah's young drivers safe.

At this year's Teen Memoriam press event, the families of two Utah teens who lost their lives last year shared their grief and insights into how other parents can help prevent the tragedy that they are experiencing. Sixteen-year-old SoRaya Manakaja from Tremonton was struck by a garbage truck while riding her bike early one morning. Her mother pleaded, "Please, always be aware of your surroundings. If [SoRaya] had been more aware of her environment, perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided. It's so easy to get lost in music or distractions, but being alert and present can make all the difference."

Eighteen-year-old Ben Berry from West Haven was riding his motorcycle when a driver, who was stopped on the shoulder of the road entered traffic and went across the active lane of traffic straight into the median. Ben was struck and thrown into oncoming traffic, killing him instantly. Ben's father said, "This tragic mistake could have easily been prevented if the driver of the other vehicle would have stopped to take a second look at her surroundings before entering traffic."

This is the 16th year that the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) have invited families of teen crash victims to share their stories in the Teen Memoriam book. The book, which shares the stories of some of the lives lost, is meant to honor their memory while also educating other teens about crash fatalities and the importance of following applicable driving laws. More than 180 high schools use the Teen Memoriam as part of their driver education courses to inform and encourage students to be safe on the road.

"The Teen Memoriam books have been used to teach and influence families, community members, students, policymakers, and more to be safer drivers," said Janae Duncan, director at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Division of Population Health. "The books have made a difference in not only the lives of the families who shared their stories, but in all who read and learn from them. The hope from these efforts is that no other family will have to experience the loss and heartache of losing a child, a sibling, or a friend on our roads."

Carlos Braceras, executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation, also emphasized the goal of the Teen Memoriam book during his remarks at the press event. "When it comes to losing teen lives on Utah roads, even one teen lost is too many. And that is the reason we are here today. The reasons these families are here today. To end teen deaths on our roads. Each of us has a role to play in preventing these fatalities."

At this year's event, speakers emphasized the importance of learning and implementing the Graduated Drivers License (GDL) laws. The laws are designed to reduce the number of crashes involving young drivers by allowing them to gain essential driving skills and confidence in a controlled manner. Of the 17 teen drivers who lost their lives last year, 14 of them were outside the age range that is protected by GDL laws - highlighting the effectiveness of these laws.

The Zero Fatalities website offers materials to help parents learn more about the GDL program, as well as resources to protect teens as they learn how to drive. Those resources include a pre-drivers program for 13-14 year olds, a web app to track teen driving hours, and educational resources and videos from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Parents are encouraged to use the New Driver Agreement to explain driving privileges and expectations, encourage two-way communication, and guide discussions when setting and revisiting driving rules.

"We owe it to ourselves, our families, and the teens we remember today to reach our goal of Zero Fatalities," said Commissioner Jess Anderson from the Department of Public Safety. "Take the time to talk with your loved ones about traffic safety and dangerous driving behaviors. Stress the importance of buckling up, putting down distractions, obeying speed limits, driving calm, and driving sober."

National Teen Driver Safety Week, happening October 20-26, 2024, is a nationwide campaign focused on the need to prepare teens to be safe on roads, emphasizing the importance of education, experience, and parental involvement.

For more information on teen driver safety, visit zerofatalities.com. Digital copies of the Teen Memoriams can also be viewed at zerofatalities.com/teen-memoriam-books.