Impaired Driving
Impaired Driving continues to be a challenge in Utah. Although Utah is below the national average in regards to alcohol and drug-related fatalities, it continues to be a problem. Utah has a comprehensive impaired driving prevention program that includes high visibility enforcement, a statewide media campaign, a new statewide 24/7 sobriety program, and the E.A.S.Y. program that addresses underage drinking which has been identified as a root cause of impaired driving.
For more data about alcohol-related crashes in Utah, click here to visit our impaired-driving data workbook where you can query our crash data. Below you can see our staggering five-year crash numbers, climbing in real-time.
One of our main goals is to separate the activity of drinking from the important task of driving safely. “If you drink, don’t drive.”
Contact the program manager, Lynda Hansen at 385-290-5305 or lyndahansen@utah.gov
Alcohol-Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a frequently committed crime in Utah. The Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice 18th Annual DUI Report to the Utah Legislature shows there were 10,532 DUI arrests in 2020, resulting in an increase of over 500 from the previous year. Click here for the most recent CCJJ annual report.
In addition to arrests, impaired driving leads to death. The fatal crash summary for 2020 shows that in 269 fatal crashes there were 276 total fatalities. Of those 269 fatal crashes, 92 of those drivers were determined to be impaired with either alcohol or drugs, a total of 34%. The breakdown of impaired drivers shows that 45 (16.7%) were impaired by alcohol and 47 (17.4%) were impaired by drugs.
Through a combination of community partners, statewide programs, and a media campaign, the HSO works to educate the public about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving, as well as how to prevent it. Oftentimes, an arrest is just the first of many consequences a person will face for driving under the influence. The total cost for fines and fees is estimated to be $10,000, and that doesn’t include the increased insurance premiums that can result from a DUI arrest. First-time offenders in Utah can be required to get an ignition interlock device installed on all vehicles registered to them. A DUI arrest can cause some people to lose their jobs, and it can be a barrier to employment, too.
Research shows that very few people set out to drive while impaired and most are aware of the consequences of being stopped by law enforcement. Impaired driving is most often the result of a long chain of decisions made by the person, both before and after consuming alcohol or taking drugs. The driver must make that critical decision not to drive long before they start drinking and plan for a sober ride.
For more data about alcohol-related crashes in Utah, click here to visit our impaired-driving data workbook, where you can query our crash data.
