Utah Auto Accidents Fall But Effect Of DUI Law Still Unclear
Jul 8, 2019, 5:53 AM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 5:04 pm
FILE (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah officials cannot yet determine whether a new drunk driving law has caused a reduction in auto accidents.
The Deseret News reported Saturday that Utah Highway Patrol statistics indicate the number of alcohol-related crashes fell in the first quarter of this year.
Police could not say if the decrease was the direct result of Utah’s new .05% blood alcohol limit for driving, the nation’s strictest.
Police say there were 236 alcohol-related crashes resulting in three fatalities, down from 416 crashes and 10 deaths during the same time period in 2018.
Utah troopers arrested 2,713 people for suspicion of DUI between Jan. 1 and March 31.
Authorities say 135 of those drivers had blood alcohol content between .05% and .079%.
Officials say the majority had measurements of more than .08%.
