If you are aware of the dangers unique to each road you’re driving on in Utah, it’ll help you manage the “route risk” of driving. Like other states across the nation, Utah has many roads that are dangerous for travelers and present higher than usual accident or death rates.
Below are some of the deadliest roads in the Beehive state along with driving tips to help travel safely:
I-80 in Tooele county
According to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were three fatalities during the Thanksgiving break from 2015 to 2018. There were more fatalities on I-80 even as recently during the first half of 2020. Two drivers died in crashes traveling down the wrong side of the road during separate incidents. Both of these drivers were killed when they hit semi-trucks head-on.
Highway 6
This roadway is heavily used by truckers traveling back and forth between Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. More than 150 people have died on Highway 6 due to the characteristics of the route - like high freeway speeds and narrow traffic lanes, since 1996. The danger of being on the road greatly increases for anyone trying to pass slower-moving traffic. Fatal crashes on Highway 6 occur in high speed crashes that result in deadly events such as rollover accidents and head-on collisions.
I-15
Does the thought of driving on the I-15 cause you to experience any anxiety? Large trucks and small cars mix it up at high speeds on many lanes of traffic in good and bad weather. The construction on the I-15 never seems to end and there are accidents on a regular basis due to its heavy usage. Many of Utah’s citizens use the I-15 throughout the week to get to where they need to go since the I-15 passes through Utah’s most densely populated areas. Utah travelers tend to be at a higher risk of danger on the I-15 due to the frequency of accidents. The I-15 has its share of rollovers and other types of crashes like Highway 6 and the I-80.
What can you do if you need to drive on one of the roads listed above?
If you’re needing to travel on any of the roads mentioned in this article, it’s important to know which precautions you should be taking. Here are two safe driving best practices that will help you get to your destination alive:
- Take a break if you’re feeling drowsy: If you haven’t been getting enough sleep or are driving more than two hours at a time without any breaks, you’re like to fall asleep on the road. Driving while drowsy is dangerous and can result in an accident. This is because you’re not fully alert and not mentally engaged in the act of operating a vehicle. If you feel like you are nodding off or have heavy eyelids, take a break. It’s safer to get off the road and take some time to feel refreshed. You can feel rejuvenated by doing things like taking a nap, eating a snack, or taking a quick 10-minute walk.
- Eliminate distractions and drive defensively: It’s in your best interest to not be on your phone and to pay attention to everything around you as you drive. Pay attention to everything from traffic signs to the amount of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Awareness on the road can mean the difference between life and death.
Do you want to learn more about what you need to do if you’re ever in need of a personal injury attorney in Utah? Check out the latest tips and advice here: http://huntsmanlaw.com/news/
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