The number of traffic fatalities in Utah County decreased in 2007, according to a report by the Utah Department of Transportation. Twenty-four people died in fatal wrecks in Utah County last year, a decrease from the 2006 total of 30, according to UDOT's 2007 fatal crash report, which was released Thursday. There were just 20 traffic-related fatalities in the county in 2005.

Ten of the county's traffic-related deaths in 2007 were caused by the improper use of restraints such as lap belts, shoulder straps and child safety seats. The report listed improper use of restraints as the leading cause of traffic-related fatalities in Utah last year, citing it in 114 of the state's 285 deaths in 2007.

Utah County had the third highest traffic-related fatalities in the state last year, behind Salt Lake County's 50 and Weber County's 25.

UDOT spokesman Adan Carrillo said Utah County's numbers were consistent with trends across the state. UDOT's 2007 fatal crash report showed 285 traffic fatalities in Utah in 2007. There were 287 in 2006 and 282 in 2005. The report cited the 2007 total as a 24-percent decrease from the 373 fatalities the state saw in 2000.

UDOT officials said the 2007 totals were encouraging, considering the fact that vehicle registration grew in Utah by 140,000 between 2004 and 2007.

"The good news is that fewer people are dying on our roads," UDOT executive director John Njord said in a press release. "While 285 fatalities on our roads isn't something to celebrate, it does show great progress, especially if you consider how many more people are on our roads and how many more miles they are driving every day."

In the press release, UDOT cited the top five causes of traffic fatalities as drowsy driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, impaired driving and improper use of restraints. With its Zero Fatalities campaign, which began in 2006, UDOT seeks to combat those avoidable causes of traffic fatalities.

Many people say zero fatalities is unattainable, Carrillo said, but UDOT views it as a goal worth striving for.

"How many fatalities are allowed in your family due to traffic accidents this year?" Carrillo asked. "The answer should be zero, so that's the same message that we're trying to get out there with this campaign.

"The goal is zero, and that's what we're trying to achieve."

• Jeremy Duda can be reached at 344-2561.