Recent spikes in aggressive driving have made roadways less safe, according to Utah law enforcement agencies.
Did the COVID-19 pandemic make Utah roads more dangerous? |
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| | Recent spikes in aggressive driving have made roadways less safe, according to Utah law enforcement agencies. The number of people who have run from a police officer has nearly doubled in the past two years, said Utah Highway Patrol Col. Michael Rapich. In 2021, UHP saw 42 cases of drivers brandishing weapons, more than double the number in 2019. Data from UHP shows the number of citations given to drivers speeding over 100 miles an hour increased from 3,308 in 2018 up to 5,137 in 2020, and 4,697 in 2021, with citations this year already on track to surpass last year. Why it matters Roadway fatalities have hit record highs — not just in Utah, but also nationwide. And the increase in dangerous behaviors isn't isolated to roads. "Even though we’re talking about this as a traffic issue, the reality is that it’s happening across the gamut of things we deal with. Domestic violence is up, and violent crime is up," said Melody Cutler, Unified Police Department public information officer. |
Read more about UHP's strategy of proactive enforcement. |
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