SALT LAKE CITY — As the state continues to see a spike in speed-related fatal crashes, the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Highway Safety Office is conducting a Speed Enforcement Campaign to encourage Utahns to travel safely by reducing speeds and aggressive driving trends this summer. Officers from 39 police agencies across the state have been participating in over 385 additional shifts, focused on speed enforcement and preventing speed-related crashes.
The campaign comes after preliminary reports show, eight of the sixteen traffic fatalities since Pioneer Day were speed-related.
NHTSA considers a crash speeding-related if the driver is charged with a speeding-related offense or if the responding officer indicates the driver was driving too fast for the conditions at the time or exceeded the posted speed limit.
UHP Communications Manager Jason Mettmann said research by troopers discovered that when comparing the 5-year average from 2018-2022 to 2023, Utah experienced a 10.7% increase in speed-related crashes. An alarming trend in these crashes is that 50% of speed-related crashes in Utah involve young drivers under age 24. Additionally, 20% of related fatalities involve teens aged 16-19.
In July, UHP alone made 10,374 traffic stops for speeding throughout the state. 203 stops were for 100mph+, and 108 stops were for reckless driving over 105mph.
Mettmann said extreme speeds are unacceptable and dangerous, and driving at high rates of speed is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to serious injury and fatal crashes for drivers of all ages.
Speeding or traveling too fast for the conditions on the highway has been cited as a primary contributing factor in 30% of all fatal crashes in Utah since January 2019.
- In the last five years, 70% of speed-related crashes involved drivers under age 30.
- Nearly 60% of speed-related crashes involved vehicles moving too fast for conditions.
- Speed-related crashes spike at 8 am and 5 pm daily.
- 50% of speed-related crashes in Utah involve young drivers under age 24.
- 20% of speed-related fatalities involve teens aged 16-19.
- In 2024, 26.1% of speed-related crashes involved teen drivers.
- In 2023, Utah roads had almost 9,300 speed-related crashes. (5,034 crashes in 2024 YTD)
- In 2024, 38 people have died in speed-related crashes in Utah.
- YTD In 2024, UHP has made over 71,000 speed-related contacts.
Speeding is more than just breaking a traffic law. The consequences are far-ranging:
- Greater potential for loss of vehicle control
- Reduced effectiveness of seat belts & child safety seats
- Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger
- Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries
- Economic implications of a speed-related crash
- Increased fuel consumption/costs
- Court and vehicle impound fees.