Utah
Utah drivers get a bad rap. Do we deserve it?
Estimated learn time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst, how would you charge Utah drivers?
For some drivers, it doubtless will depend on the day, our temper, if the motive force is working late, and whether or not or not different drivers are obeying site visitors legal guidelines.
In all probability honest to say, some days Utahns might rank one another excessive or pretty low.
The larger query is that this: In comparison with the remainder of the nation, are Utah drivers the worst?
What do Utah drivers say?
To begin with, all people appears to have an opinion on this one.
Christmas Jones has one: “They’re impatient.”
One other Utah driver, Derrek, has one: “They’re dangerous. They’re dangerous. They’re actually dangerous.”
Cameron has one: “They’re horrible. It is fairly gnarly. Not enjoyable.”
You get the image.
The one individual KSL-TV discovered with good issues to say about Utah drivers was Michael Gibner from Florida. He’d pushed in Utah for a grand whole of 24 hours after we spoke with him.
“It was an excellent expertise,” stated Gibner.
Nice first impression, everybody!
However for Utahns driving these roads on the day by day, whether or not within the cab of a truck, on the seat of a motorcycle, or simply enjoying taxi throughout the valley, defining what precisely makes or dangerous driver is slightly subjective.
What do the consultants say?
Even analysis rankings present completely different solutions.
Every year, insurance coverage and enterprise websites create a components utilizing a numerous mixture of metrics, akin to DUIs, fatalities, insured versus uninsured drivers, citations, accidents, dashing tickets and extra. They do some calculations after which give every state a rating. For instance, the web site Quote Wizard ranks Utah drivers No. 6 on the “worst within the nation” checklist.
And whereas many within the Beehive State would concur, simply take a look at Utah’s standing from these different websites utilizing their very own math:
- Sensible Asset ranks Utah fourth finest.
- Financial institution Fee has Utah third finest.
- World Inhabitants Evaluation claims Utah has the second finest drivers within the nation.
And if these rankings are extra reflective of the nice, why achieve this many Utahns imagine we’re so dangerous?
“I do not know if it is fairly as dangerous because the status that now we have,” stated Andy Farnsworth, the voice of KSL NewsRadio morning site visitors.
For the previous twenty years, he has seen, reported and skilled nearly each kind of driver on Utah roads.
With that have, Farnsworth believes notion isn’t at all times actuality.
“I simply do not understand how you quantify, like in a very measurable method,” Farnsworth stated, “different than simply your individual private emotions, how dangerous the drivers are.”
Farnsworth says wrong-way drivers and people throttling over 100 miles per hour have been a number of the largest issues as of late.
Street rage
A fair greater concern is the craze now we have seen on Utah roads. Prior to now month, driving offended has been within the highlight. In a single case, home windows shot out with a pellet gun. In one other, 41-year-old Chris Mortensen, husband and father of 4, was shot and killed.
Forbes Advisor presents a extra sobering survey. Throughout the nation, it ranked Utah No. 1 for probably the most confrontational drivers. From honking the horn (76%), to giving the hen (58%), to driving somebody’s tail (73%).
The survey reveals 1 in 4 Utah drivers stated they know of somebody injured due to street rage.
Whether or not you purchase into these numbers or not, it ought to give all Utah drivers motive to pause, as a result of tomorrow morning whether or not you are driving, scootering, strolling or driving, blinkers is not going to be used. Speeds is not going to be adopted. And the frustrations is not going to go away.
Sure, Utah drivers are at all times going to drive like Utah drivers.
And it is as much as all drivers to resolve which sort of Utah driver they wish to be.