Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Utah Highway Patrol warns of increased winter driving dangers after recent crashes.
- Fatalities occurred in Weber and Box Elder counties due to icy conditions.
- Officials urge reduced speeds, safe distances, and caution for driver and responder safety.
SALT LAKE CITY — There were hundreds of crashes across the state of Utah on Thursday evening and into Friday morning. The Utah Highway Patrol is reminding drivers of the need for precaution ahead of more possible weather into the weekend.
The majority of the crashes were fender benders caused by people speeding or driving too closely behind other cars in the snowstorm. However, more severe crashes did occur in Weber and Box Elder counties.
The first fatality happened Thursday night when a driver ran into the back of a semitruck in Box Elder County. Then, early Friday, another driver in neighboring Weber County was killed when his car slammed into a box truck.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Roden said the ice caused slippery road conditions for those drivers.
"That's why we encourage drivers to reduce their speeds and increase their following distance," he said, "because a lot of times, people have to stop suddenly."
Rosen said the tricky part is when it gets too late, hence the need to constantly stay cautious and alert, especially during the winter months.
"When something changes, it takes us changing our habits and our behaviors to adjust to whatever the conditions are," he said, "and that's what we see a lot of during winter time is people just driving normal driving habits, but those are the things that get us into trouble."
In Willard, Box Elder County, a police officer was also hit and sent to a hospital with minor injuries after a driver slid on ice.
Roden said the slippery conditions at this time of year also make first responders wary of their own safety.
"This is the worst time of year that we see a lot of officers and crash responders get hurt," Roden said.
He said to plan ahead for an accident by switching lanes as quickly as possible and giving enough room for everyone.
Three other tips for drivers in a snowstorm, he said, are to slow down, stay a safe distance away from the car in front of you and always wear a seat belt.
Photos
Most recent Utah weather stories
Darby Sparks
