Fatal car crashes are up 23% in Utah compared to last year

One Utah Highway Patrol official said drivers statewide are "the worst." Photo: PeteysHead

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — This week Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) released enforcement contact data stretching from January 1 to April 10, 2022.

79 fatal crashes are recorded so far this year, which is a 23% increase when you compare the same timeframe in 2021 (64). UHP reported fatal crashes (30) have increased by 43% from the five-year average (21).

Eight wrong-way fatal crashes have occurred in 2022, which is double the number reported last year.

Total UHP crashes have decreased 17% from the five-year average.

In 2022 there have been five UHP troopers struck as of April 10, in 2021 there were 10 during the same timeframe.

When asked about Beehive State, UHP Sgt. Chris Bishop told the Salt Lake Tribune: “No matter where you go, they’re the worst drivers in the country.”