Highway 6, from Spanish Fork to Green River, is often labeled "The Deadliest Road in Utah." However, that is no longer the case because of the Zero Fatalities campaign.

In 2012, no one died on a prominent region of Highway 6, although there were a few deaths outside Section 9. That number is pretty remarkable considering the history of that highway. Many Utahns drive that road to get to southern Utah or to Colorado, and it hasn't always been the safest commute.

But the absence of traffic fatalities wasn't just a success for Highway 6. There were Zero Fatalities in an entire UHP region.

Lieutenant David Bennion has spent 2/3 of his career working Highway 6 and the other roads of Section 9. He investigated his first highway fatality there 18 years ago.

"I've been on long enough to know that the next tragedy is just around the corner," Bennion said.

But in 2012, the Zero Fatalities campaign was a success in the section he commands, including much of U.S. 6 and U.S. 10. Although, there were two fatalities on U.S. 6 just west of his region.

"To have us drop from eight, nine fatalities the years before to zero is pretty dramatic," Bennion said. "We've been super excited about it."

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In 2012, Utahns logged millions of miles on Utah's thousands of roadways. Sadly though, more than 200 of our neighbors never made it home alive.

Section 9 had a total of nine fatalities last year, after a previous low of eight in 2010. U.S. 6 had 16 fatalities in 2005, and nine several other times in the last decade. The UHP credits increased enforcement of DUIs, speeding, and seatbelt use.

But, the roads have become more safe, as well.

"I've seen a lot of improvements over the years," Bennion said.

To improve safety, UDOT added extra passing lanes in critical places. They also installed high visibility signs and also rumble strips to alert motorists.

"UDOT is constantly looking for ways to improve safety and U.S. 6 is one of those that we continually look at," said UDOT representative, Muriel Xochimitl.

UDOT spent nearly $240 million on 56 projects on U.S. 6 over the last decade, and they are planning even more upgrades. The state spent more than $60 million on similar projects on U.S. 10, and isn't finished there either.

But, Bennion says that the low fatality rate all comes back to the actions of the commuters.

"Add a little time to your schedule," Bennion said. "Make everybody."

Cars are also built safer all the time, and public education that starts in high schools makes a big difference. Lt. Bennion says all of those things add up to a safer ride On the Road to Zero Fatalities.

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