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SALT LAKE CITY -- The summer driving season is nearly upon us, and Utah Highway Patrol troopers want motorists to know they'll be out in force enforcing drunk driving laws. Friday night, there's a DUI checkpoint in South Salt Lake, with many more to come.
It's that important to us to take the DUIs off the road so they don't kill themselves and don't hurt other people.
–UHP Sgt. Jeff Nigbur
Utah Highway Patrol started the checkpoints in Salt Lake County Thursday night, keeping an eye out for impaired drivers. Troopers arrested one driver who tried to evade them near the corner of 800 South and 900 East around 1 a.m. Friday.
Troopers first spotted the woman when she ran a red light. After a chase around the block, they did a pit maneuver to get her to stop.
"We are going to look at some, possibly drugs, possibly alcohol that might be involved, maybe even some prescription drugs. That's yet to be determined," UHP Sgt. Jeff Nigbur said. "But thank goodness we were able to get her off the road so she could hurt anyone else."
The traffic stop was the work of the UHP's DUI patrol -- a squad that plans to be out and about in force around the state all summer.
The risks of impaired driving are significant, and you've heard them before. Drink alcohol, then drive and you're playing with fire.
"Usually when people drink, even in small amounts, their judgment is affected. So, they feel like they're fine to drive when, in reality, you know everything is affected from their vision, their reaction time; things like that," said UHP Lt. Steve Winward.
It's serious business with serious consequences when things go wrong. The statistics indicate they will for some unlucky victim.
Last year, a drunk driver in Utah claimed a life about once every three weeks; 31 families had a trooper stop by their home with the worst kind of news.
"That's gotta be the hardest job as a trooper, or any police officer, is having to go to a family member and explain to the family that their loved one has been killed in a traffic accident, and the events surrounding that traffic accident," Winward said.
"Use common sense" is the best advice, though it's often not heeded by those who are intoxicated.
"[They] probably should get a taxi or get someone to give them a ride," Winward said.
About 12 percent of all fatalities each year on Utah roads are caused by drunk drivers. UHP hopes with these DUI stops, they'll be able to bring those numbers down.
E-mail: jdaley@ksl.com
