SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah’s 100 deadliest days of summer are expected to kick off with one of the busiest travel weekends in the last 20 years, according to experts.
Historically, the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the most fatal in Utah as Americans hit the roads for summer travel. Authorities previously told ABC4 the number of fatal crashes statewide doubles during this time frame.
In recent years, the number of deaths has been on a steady decline, according to Zero Fatalities, an ongoing campaign to end Utah road deaths. In 2023, there were only 81 deaths on Utah roads, down from 98 in 2022 and 105 in 2021. However, experts are suggesting there is a chance those stats could go back up for 2024.
AAA Utah said more than 43.8 million Americans are projected to travel on Memorial Day weekend this year, up four percent from last year’s numbers.
“We’re expecting Memorial Day weekend numbers like we haven’t seen in almost 20 years,” said AAA Utah Senior Vice President of Membership and Travel Marketing Brian Ng. “It’s not just a return to pre-pandemic levels but also foreshadows the robust travel season ahead.”
AAA said the majority of Memorial Day travelers are flocking to theme parks and entertainment venues in the usual places, such as Orlando, New York, Las Vegas, and Southern California. However, don’t count out Utah.
All five of Utah’s national parks see a significant bump in visitors starting in May, according to data from the National Park Service. The Mighty Five saw a combined total of over 1.3 million recreational visitors looking to take in Utah’s beautiful scenery in 2023.
While the bump in visitors is great for Utah’s tourism industry, it means there are more people on Utah’s roads. With more people on Utah’s roads, there is a higher chance of traffic accidents and fatal crashes.
AAA Utah said the busiest travel days for Memorial Day weekend are projected to be Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24. Drivers are advised to be patient and cautious when driving in order to stay safe.
Zero Fatalities offers several tips to make sure you and your family make it to your vacation destination safely.
Drive Alert
Driving sleep-deprived or fatigued triples your risk on the road, according to Zero Fatalities. If you’re feeling drowsy, officials recommend pulling over and switching drivers or taking a 10- to 20-minute nap. It is also recommended to get out of the car and stretch or jog for a few minutes and eat a snack. If it is late at night, find a safe place to sleep until morning.
Drive Focused
Avoid distractions while driving. Drivers should avoid texting or using a cell phone, eating or drinking, watching videos, and eating or drinking. According to Zero Fatalities data, one in four car crashes last year involved some form of distracted driving. Instead, have passengers handle answering your phone, changing music, and navigating maps.
Drive Calm
Staying calm and obeying traffic laws can help save lives when driving on the road as well. Aggressive driving includes speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, running red lights, tailgating, and failing to yield. Zero Fatalities said for every 10 MPH over 50 MPH, the chance of death in a crash is doubled. To stay safe and drive calm, drivers are recommended to ignore honking and rude gestures and take a deep breath instead of getting stressed or upset on the road.
Drive Sober
In 2022, crashes involving a driver under the influence were 18 times more likely, according to Zero Fatalities data. Drivers should plan ahead and not drink and drive or take medication that could make them sleepy before hitting the road. Instead, designate a sober driver, call a taxi or use mass transit.
Drive Buckled
Finally, Zero Fatalities suggests always wearing a seat belt as it will keep you safe in a car crash.
Busiest travel weekend in 20 years starts deadliest days
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