The last time the number of highway fatalities in Utah was as low as they were in 2009, the average price of a gallon of gas was about 60 cents and the price of a new car was about $4,000.

On Tuesday, the Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Highway Patrol reported there were 245 traffic fatalities on Utah highways last year, the lowest since 1974 when there were 228.

The numbers were announced during an annual press conference for the Zero Fatalities campaign.

Last year's fatal crashes involved 169 men and 76 woman, UDOT statistics show. Most of the deaths were related to motorists speeding or not wearing seat belts.

"The rate of fatal crashes is declining," said UDOT Executive Director John Njord.

But Njord added troopers "still struggle with people who travel too fast."

Last year saw a significant decrease in traffic fatalities during holiday weekends. In 2008 there were 30 deaths, last year there were only nine. Twelve fatal crashes occurred over the Fourth of July weekend in 2008, three more than in 2009, UDOT statistics show.

Despite construction zones along Interstate 80 in 2009, the highway had just 11 fatalities last year, a decrease of more than half reported in 2008.

Utah remained a state with one of the lowest number of DUI crashes that resulted in fatalities. UDOT reported 29 DUI related fatalities in 2009, two more than the year before.

UHP Sgt. Jeff Nigbur said it is hard to say for sure what has helped reduce the number of fatalities, but promoting seat belt use and educating high school students about not driving impaired has helped lower this year's fatal car crash number. Also, seat belt and DUI blitzes have been effective, he said.

"We try to make a big deal out of them to where people hopefully get the word and buckle up and don't drive intoxicated," Nigbur said. "We like to think that really has helped."

Njord also spoke about the importance of wearing a seat belt while driving. About 88 percent of Utah drivers buckle up while driving, according to statistics from 2008.

"I would hope nobody would get into their car without fastening their safety belt," he said.

Also on Tuesday, UHP Maj. Mike Kuehn reiterated the dangers of driving when tired or distracted. He said drivers who are drowsy or who use phones or other devices are prone to drift out of their lane or off the road. Yanking on the steering wheel, or overcorrecting to get back on the road, often causes a vehicle to overturn.