ROAD TO ZERO

A look at impaired driving in Utah: fatalities skyrocketing since 2019

Jul 1, 2022, 11:40 AM | Updated: 3:57 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — 2022 is on pace to be the deadliest year on record for impaired driving in Utah. Already this year there have been 53 deaths because of impaired driving, coming off a record year in 2021 of 158 people killed.

“Right now, there seems to be a spike in a lot of dangerous statistics. One of those is wrong way drivers, we had somebody killed this morning with somebody that didn’t have their lights on,” said Corporal Brock Ernsten, Utah Highway Patrol.

Cpl. Ernsten is a member of UHP’s DUI squad, a group of specialized troopers who focus on stopping impaired drivers on Utah’s roads. KSL TV was given special access to ride-along with Cpl. Ernsten to see firsthand what the DUI squad is facing on the roads every night, and on one Saturday night in June Cpl. Ernsten was called to a multi-vehicle crash on I-15 that turned into a DUI investigation, a wrong-way driver crash, and he also made a DUI arrest.

Nights like this, with multiple DUI investigations is sadly becoming typical for the DUI squad.

“We’ll have a lot of impaired drivers that will be just a single vehicle involved and they’ll crash, and side swipe a wall or side swipe another vehicle and there aren’t injuries, but when there are injuries and especially children are involved and injured that is very difficult.”

Since 2019, impaired driving fatalities have skyrocketed.

Cpl. Says he’s seeing drivers push the limit with drugs and alcohol.

“I’ve noticed a lot of lately that it’s both, people have consumed alcohol and some sort of drug as well. I would say a high percentage of the impaired drivers lately have had a combination.”

When it comes to spotting impaired drivers, Cpl. Ernst says it’s the little things, like drifting, or aggressive driving that tip him off.

“If I see someone driving very aggressively, especially certain times of nights and days if I see somebody speeding, it seems the faster they’re going there is an increased likelihood or probability that they’re impaired if they’re going fast or aggressive. But you can also have the opposite where they’re really driving slowly and not stopping in time or maybe they forgot to turn their lights on. Which anybody can forget to turn their headlights on but sometimes that can be an indicator that somebody is not quite mentally functioning.”

Cpl. Ernsten is pleading with Utah drivers to do better, to think ahead and put away the keys before they ever take that first drink.

“You have taxis, Uber, Lift, there are just so many options.”

UHP is in the process of adding more troopers to its DUI squad. They’ve also created a wrong-way task force to figure out the best way to stop those drivers from putting others at risk. In the meantime, Cpl. Ernsten and the DUI squad will continue to do what they can to make sure everyone gets home safe.

“We all have friends and family driving on the roads, and we want our friends and family to be safe just like everyone else does.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Road to Zero

Eli Mitchell (Courtesy Mitchell family)...

Alex Cabrero

West Jordan community comes together to remember 13-year-old hit, killed by drunk driver

Today marks one year since 13-year-old Eli Mitchell was hit and killed by a drunk driver in West Jordan. To honor his memory, the community put up hundreds of ribbons and held a special ceremony.

11 months ago

(Utah Highway Patrol)...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Utah trooper who hit wrong-way driver to stop him says he acted instinctively

Chad McCoy wasn't aware there was a wrong-way driver nearby until he saw the pickup truck coming right at him.

11 months ago

(file)...

Katija Stjepovic and Aley Davis

Back to basics: What one Utah driver’s ed teacher wants you to know

As more drivers hit the road and take advantage of the warmer weather, UDOT officials say we can’t lose sight of Utah’s zero fatalities goal. That’s why educators and safety advocates are taking a new approach called “Back to Basics.”

11 months ago

From brakes to tires, manager Chris Pappas at Hillside Tire & Service said folks are waiting too lo...

Matt Gephardt and Cindy St. Clair

Utah vehicle safety inspections drop 92%, crashes related to equipment failure remain flat

It’s been five years since mandatory vehicle safety inspections hit the rearview mirror. Does that mean Utah roads are more dangerous? KSL Investigator Matt Gephardt digs into the crash data.

12 months ago

Tooele crash...

Andrew Adams

Family members injured in Tooele County high speed crash

A woman called on drivers not to get behind the wheel while impaired after a violent crash that left two of her loved ones injured.

12 months ago

Crosswalk safety...

Katija Stjepovic

UHP reminder about crosswalk safety as more head outdoors

Whether it's taking the dog out for an extra walk or wiping the rust off of that bike, Utahns have been soaking up the sun after feeling cooped up for months. 

12 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Close up of an offset printing machine during production...

Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.

vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...

Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.

Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...

Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.

notebook with password notes highlighted...

PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.

A look at impaired driving in Utah: fatalities skyrocketing since 2019