Memorial Day marks beginning of 100 deadliest days on Utah roads

SALT LAKE CITY — Memorial Day marks the first of 100 deadliest days on Utah roads. The Utah Highway Patrol says it sees an uptick in the number of deaths on the roads between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Last summer, 85 people died during the 100 deadliest days. That’s a drop from the 98 lives lost in 2022.

The goal of the UHP and other Utah departments is to get that number to zero.

Related: A Utah mother’s plea as the 100 Deadliest Days begin

Extra UHP troopers were on the roads this holiday weekend looking for drivers who were speeding, driving distracted, impaired or driving without a seatbelt.

UHP Spokesman Sgt. Cameron Roden said the extra trooper presence on Utah’s roads continues through Monday night.

Last year, UHP troopers made 40,000 traffic stops for speeding.

Of those, nearly 2,000 drivers were going more than 100 miles per hour.

The UHP said people should slow down, make good choices and remember their responsibility behind the wheel.

During the summer months, troopers say many drivers get complacent because of ideal driving conditions.

But with more people traveling, the UHP said we need to stay focused on getting to our destination safely.

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