UTAH, Sept. 3, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah Highway Patrol will increase enforcement over the Labor Day weekend, which traditionally marks the end of summer and the state’s “100 Deadliest Days.”
UHP will add more than 115 extra shifts focusing on unsafe driving behaviors, said a news release from UHP.
On Friday, UHP will be hosting a Labor Day DUI Enforcement Blitz to kick off the closing weekend of the “100 Deadliest Days,” the news release said.
Other extra shifts will focus on seat belts, speeding and distracted driving.
Over Labor Day weekend holidays from 2015 to 2020 there have been 21 fatal crashes statewide with UHP handling seven of those, the news release said.
Of the 21 total fatal crashes:
- 11 were caused by an impaired driver
- Three individuals killed were not wearing seat belts
- Seven involved excessive speed
These fatal numbers are in addition to the nearly 1,100 injury crashes over the same period, the news release said.
“We have seen a significant reduction in fatal accidents during the ‘100 Deadliest Days’ enforcement period, reducing fatal collisions from 83 in 2020 to 74 in 2021,” the news release said. “As we come to a close with this year’s ‘100 Deadliest Days,’ we would like to remind you to continue to wear your seat belt, decrease your speed, and make the right decision by driving sober.”
