DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — While the Iowa State Patrol says UTV deaths are on the uptick, some cities are considering letting them on public roadways. The Iowa State Patrol points to a trend they’ve noticed over the last two years as deadly UTV crashes started to increase during the same year a law was passed giving municipalities the power to allow the vehicles on public roads. Twelve people were killed in 2022 and 12 in 2023.

This year, troopers are fearful they’re on pace to surpass previous marks — they’ve already recorded seven, and the busy season is just beginning. At the same time, the Johnston City Council discussed the possibility of allowing UTVs on city roads at a work session Monday.

The state patrol warns that UTV crashes happen on paved roads just as often as gravel ones — one of the most common factors they see in deadly UTV crashes is victims not wearing seatbelts.