UHP Conducting DUI Blitz Ahead Of Labor Day Weekend

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Highway Patrol announced there will be an increased trooper presence on the state’s roads over the Labor Day Weekend.

According to a UHP statement, troopers will be working 85 extra shifts to focus on unsafe driving behaviors, and law enforcement from 19 different agencies will be working more than 120 extra DUI shifts.

This will include a DUI blitz Friday in Salt Lake City beginning at 9 p.m.

“If your plans for the weekend include drinking, make sure they also include a plan for a safe ride home,” according to UHP.

Authorities said they’re hoping to duplicate the success from last year’s Labor Day Weekend, when there were zero fatalities on the state’s highways.

Through August 31, Utah has seen 32, 744 crashes and 174 fatalities. Of particular interest is the steep rise in fatalities, despite less traffic on Utah roads.

That’s the big message here — Utah has decreased the number of crashes significantly, but unfortunately, its fatality rate hasn’t seen the same drop.

Compared with the five-year average, total crashes have decreased 17% in 2020, and fatalities have decreased by just 1.9%.

While there is no research to prove it, Utah Department of Transportation spokesperson John Gleason suggested that’s attributed to increased speeds on less congested roads.

“You would think that crashes and fatalities would experience that type of a decrease as well,” Gleason said. “And unfortunately, that just hasn’t been the case where we’re seeing traffic fatalities in line with what we saw, pre-COVID.”

If looking at the post-March 15th time period, the difference is even more pronounced: total crashes are down 24% in 2020, but fatalities are down just 1.6%.

“Whether there’s a couple of other vehicles out on the road or whether you’re dealing with congestion, you have to pay attention,” Gleason said. “You have to put down the distractions you have to wear your seatbelt. You have to make wise decisions behind the wheel.”