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Jed Boal reportingMaj. Neil Porter/Utah Highway Patrol: "WE'RE DISTURBED. WE'RE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS... TO KEEP THESE NUMBERS DOWN."
It's been an especially deadly June on Utah roads. As we head into the most dangerous months on Utah highways, state troopers are alarmed at the pace of fatal crashes.
Highway Patrol statistics show there are more deadly crashes in the summer in Utah, than any other time of year.
More than 20 people have died this month in crashes on Utah highways, and the month is only two-thirds over.
State troopers say they're seeing too many people killed in the blink of an eye in crashes that didn't have to happen.
The emergency calls have come too often this month.
Last week, a 19-year-old woman died on I-15 when her SUV hit the median, and crossed into the oncoming traffic.
Early Saturday two teens died on I-80 when they veered off the road and slammed into a viaduct.
But, most of the crashes occur on rural highways where cars can legally travel faster.
Maj. Neil Porter/Utah Highway Patrol: "PEOPLE KNOW IT'S 75 MILES PER HOUR...THEY FEEL THAT THEY CAN DRIVE 85 OR 90 MILES PER HOUR"
Maj. Neil Porter/Utah Highway Patrol: "THE CHANCES OF SURVIVAL AT THAT HIGH RATE OF SPEED ARE DIMINISHED, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE NOT WEARING A SEATBELT AND YOU'RE EJECTED."
Jed Boal/Eyewitness News: "SPEED IS VERY OFTEN A FACTOR, AND THE MAJOR SAYS FATIGUE CAUSES MORE CRASHES DURING THE SUMMER TAHN AT ANY OTHER TIME OF YEAR. POEPLE ON VACATION DRIVE LONG DISTANCES, OFTEN AFTER PLAYING ALL DAY IN THE HOT SUN. TOO MANY MILES WITH TOO LITTLE REST."
Maj. Neil Porter/Utah Highway Patrol: "THEY'RE TRAVELLING FOUR OR FIVE HOURS, AND THEY'RE FALLING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. THEY'RE NOT TAKING FREQUENT ENOUGH STOPS. THEY'RE NOT CHANGING DRIVERS OFTEN ENOUGH."
More than 20 fatalities so far this month. Compare that to 20 for the whole month last year, and 24 the year before that.
Many of the crashes killed drivers 20 years old and younger.
Fewer than 10-percent of the state's licensed drivers are teens. But, in 2001, they caused nearly one-third of all car crashes.
Early this morning, a motorcycle rider was hit and killed on I-15 north of Parowan.
This afternoon, near Hurricane a driver was nearly kiiled in a 90-mile per hour head-on collision.
Troopers urge everyone to buckle up, drive sober, and drive defensively.
