UHP demonstrates growing number of DUI arrests with 11,000 cans

SALT LAKE CITY — Ahead of the most dangerous days on Utah roads, the Utah Highway Patrol demonstrated the growing number of DUI arrests in our state with a huge pile of cans. They said increased enforcement hasn’t deterred drunk drivers, so they hope a strong visual can convey their message to ‘Plan a Sober Ride.’

UHP partnered with the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services Wednesday, and dropped 11,440 cans out of a dump truck – one for each DUI arrest made in 2024.

In a press release, the Department of Public Safety stated the demonstration is a reminder of the human cost of impaired driving.

Major Jeff Nigbur, assistant superintendent of the Utah Highway Patrol, reinforced the sentiment by saying, “The vast majority of wrong-way drivers who cause those horrendous, those tragic head-on crashes are impaired.”

Nigbur said, “The average breath alcohol content of those DUI arrests was .15, so triple the limit of 0.05.”

More than 200 extra DUI enforcement shifts will be worked by 32 Utah law enforcement agencies statewide between the Fourth of July and Pioneer Day weekend.

But officers said enforcement isn’t working to bring those numbers down. Already in 2025, we are on track to meet or exceed the number of arrests in 2024.

Nigbur said drivers need to do more to bring that number down.

“You can get a ride home. You can drink at home. You can call an Uber,” Nigbur said.

Expect extra signage in state liquor stores in the next few weeks, all aimed at reminding you to ‘Plan a Sober Ride.’

“DUI is 100% preventable,” Nigbur said. “We shouldn’t be having any DUI arrests. We shouldn’t be having any fatalities due to impaired driving.”

And, Nigbur added, “If you see someone driving erratically, call 911.”

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Contributing: Heather Kelly, KSL NewsRadio.