SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — After a tragic incident left an 11-year-old boy critically injured in a crosswalk crash, the community is calling for stronger measures to protect pedestrians, especially at night. In response to these concerns, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is taking steps to enhance pedestrian safety at intersections across the state.
In March, UDOT unveiled a new initiative aimed at improving nighttime visibility at intersections through the installation of under-mast lighting. This technology, designed to increase the visibility of crosswalks during the dark hours, is already being implemented in several locations, including Davis County.
“Anything they can do to improve pedestrian safety would be good,” said Ronald Stratfor, a local resident from Roy, who expressed support for the changes.
Dark intersections have long been identified as a significant hazard for both pedestrians and drivers. To address this issue, UDOT has already installed 150 under-mast lights throughout Utah, with roughly half of those positioned in Davis County alone. The under-mast lights are mounted on streetlight poles, directing beams of light directly into the crosswalks, which helps pedestrians stay visible to drivers and improves overall safety.
Nic Naylor, a spokesperson for UDOT, explained the benefits of the new technology: “Under-mast lighting will go where traditional lighting hasn’t really illuminated the intersection before.” The lights can be installed in areas that were previously difficult to reach due to power lines or the high cost of traditional lighting infrastructure.
Since 2019, Utah has averaged 43 fatal auto-pedestrian crashes annually. Already in 2025, nine fatal crashes have occurred. While these numbers highlight the severity of the issue, the latest incident, which left 11-year-old Jayson in critical condition, underscores the urgency of ensuring pedestrian safety.
“We’re all just focused on Jayson and how we can support him,” said Riley Camomile, the boy’s cousin. “Our main priority right now is his recovery.”
In light of this recent crash, UDOT has announced plans to install an under-mast light at the intersection where Jayson was struck, further emphasizing the importance of the new technology.
Pedestrian safety experts have long called for a comprehensive approach to preventing accidents, especially at night. In addition to better lighting, other measures such as improved crosswalk markings, enhanced pedestrian signals, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws could help reduce the risk of crashes.
As the community continues to process the heartbreaking event, there is hope that these new safety measures will help prevent future accidents and protect pedestrians across Utah.