KSL.com reported that Utah Highway Patrol augmented its forces for the Memorial Day weekend in order to better prepare for the start of the deadliest 100 days on the road. Troopers went around the state to remind people to be safe on the road.
The much awaited summer vacation and the chance to do more outdoor activities normally drive people to be in a hurry to reach their destinations. Sgt. Blaine Robbins with the Utah Highway Patrol commented that people tend to forget that they are not going to the race track, but rather having time off from the workplace. People are going for a vacation, and yet, because of the excitement that motorists feel, they speed to arrive early, forgetting that it is difficult to make good driving decisions when travelling at a high speed. As a result, car crashes happen.
Speed was the main reason of 43% of the crashes in the last five years. Memorial Day 2012 weekend was considered better, since no deaths were reported. But 2013 is off to a bad start with four deaths due to auto crashes during Memorial Day weekend.
Car crashes are quite common during holidays. The Fourth of July in 2008 is reported as the worst in terms of Utah Highway Patrol statistics. 12 people died on that day out of the 267 road fatalities for the whole year.
The campaign of UHP is to remind people how to avoid driving violations and be safe on the road.
Troopers as well as emergency personnel found it difficult to deal with these deaths, and telling relatives that a loved one will no longer come home is the hardest part.
If you or your love ones have been victims of reckless driving that resulted in personal injury, call Christensen & Hymas at 801-506-0800 for a free consultation. We have excellent personal injury lawyers to help you.
Original article by Nkoyo Iyamba
Photo not of accident and is courtesy of Aaron Parecki.