In a recent KSL article, Dr. Brandon Webb with Intermountain Healthcare discussed some of the problems hospitals in the state are experiencing. One of the contributors? Car crashes.
Dr. Webb explained, “People are out doing things. They’re on the roads far more than they were last year[.]” As a result, the Utah Department of Public Safety has reported the number of vehicle crashes are up 27% and the number of fatal crashes are up 11% in 2021 through Thursday, August 26, compared to the same time period last year. The Department of Public Safety has also reported that there have been 1,014 serious injuries as a result of crashes on Utah roadways in 2021 — 530 fewer than all of 2020, with four months remaining in the year.
Unfortunately, local government doesn’t come away from this unscathed. While UCIP’s at-fault collision claims are considerably lower than the general population, we have still received 24 claims thus far in 2021 — only four shy in the same time period in 2020.
The evidence is clear — there are presently more cars on the road right now, and it’s resulting in more accidents. Please do what you can to stay safe.