With a spike in deadly crashes this summer, officials urging drivers to use caution
Jul 23, 2024, 3:14 PM | Updated: 3:20 pm
TAYLORSVILLE — As we head into a big, busy day with an Olympic announcement and hopeful celebration, marathon, and a holiday on top of all that, Utah officials are urging everyone to pay attention behind the wheel.
This comes as a record number of people lost their lives on Utah roads last week.
UDOT and DPS officials were hopeful going into this holiday week as yearly fatalities were down about 14% lower than the year before.
Taking a turn, last weekend, 12 individuals were killed in a week.
Crashes with one vehicle and one person is up from the last five years.
Other wrecks did not just impact one person; rather, multiple were impacted or killed.
“This last weekend alone, we had three fatal crashes losing a total of seven people. Two double fatals, and one triple fatal crash last weekend alone,” said Lt. Cameron Roden, with Utah Highway Patrol.
By the numbers
During this summer alone, there have been 49 fatal crashes causing 54 fatalities on Utah roads.
This year, 145 lives have been lost.
The spike in dangerous and deadly outcomes on our roads comes just over halfway during the 100 Deadliest Days, the time frame between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, where the state usually see traffic fatalities go up.
In 2024, UDOT and the Department of Public Safety said the top five reasons for deadly crashes came down to motorcycle, pedestrian, older driver, speed and drug relation and or involvement.
There have been 12 fatal motorcycle crashes from Memorial Day to now. For motorcycles, that is up from the last five years.
Whether getting out of town or hauling something bigger than usual: Save peace of mind in securing your load.
“You’re tying down and securing your cargo. If you’re going out camping, make sure you have a tarp over your truck — the bed of the truck — because anything you put in there, there’s a sense, ‘Hey, if you know, even if I’m just going around the corner, it’s gonna be safe,’” said John Gleason, UDOT public relations director.
This is a time UDOT and DPS said they see crashes and fatalities peak.
With alcohol a part of celebrations for many, they are reiterating having a plan in place for a safe ride home beforehand.