Utah road rage cases peak in March, data shows

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A string of road rage incidents across Utah this spring is drawing renewed attention to a relatively new state law aimed at curbing violent driving behavior — and early data shows one month consistently stands out.

2News analyzed figures from the Utah Highway Patrol on how often troopers have used the state’s road rage enhancement law since it took effect in July 2024. The data, which reflects UHP enforcement only, reveals that March has recorded the highest number of road rage charges in both 2025 and, so far, 2026.

“You know, when things happen, you can’t take them back,” said Peter Salm. “It’s permanent.”

Salm’s brother and his brother’s girlfriend were killed in 2023 when a driver lost control during a road rage incident and hit them head-on. The tragedy helped spur Salm’s push for tougher penalties, which ultimately became law.

“Sadly, there’s still way too many people out there who don’t seem to get the message,” Salm said.

Before the law, UHP said it had no formal way to track road rage incidents.

“It seemed like they were getting more frequent,” said Lt. Cameron Roden, a public information officer with UHP.

Since data collection began, troopers have averaged about 14 road rage cases per month in 2025 where the enhancement law was applied. But March stands apart.

“We had a really high month a year ago March where we had probably the highest month that we saw with 31 incidents,” Roden said. “So maybe a little bit eye-opening for us.”

In March 2026, troopers have recorded 16 incidents so far, again the highest monthly total this year.

MORE | Road Rage

Roden said the reason for the spike is unclear.

“You know a lot of it is kind of speculation at this point looking forward,” he said, suggesting seasonal factors could play a role as more drivers return to the roads after winter.

The law is also giving investigators a clearer picture of whether enforcement efforts are working.

“It’s not something that’s going to go away overnight,” Roden said. “Just because the law is there, we still are experiencing these things.”

Salm echoed that sentiment.

“Sadly, it’s going to probably be a slower process than what I would like to see as well as the highway patrol,” he said.

Additional UHP data on road rage and aggressive driving crashes from 2018 through 2026 shows patterns in where and when incidents occur:

• 53% happen on Interstate 15.
• 46% occur in Salt Lake County.
• 17% take place on Saturdays, the highest of any day; Tuesdays have the fewest.
• 31% result in injury or death.

The data also shows impairment is not a factor in most cases, with only 10% involving an impaired driver. However, among those who were impaired, 35% had a blood alcohol content above .16.

Salm said the numbers underscore a simple message for drivers.

“You need to be careful what you’re doing and just slow down and just let it go,” he said. “You don’t need to act out against somebody who’s cut you off. It doesn’t really solve anything.”

Reflecting on his own loss, he added a final warning:

“You know, when things happen, you can’t take them back. It’s permanent. It’s my brother’s situation. There’s nothing we can do on this planet anymore to bring them back. They’re gone forever. Your best option is to not do it in the first place — just bite your tongue, just let it go and go back home, see your loved ones and blow off some steam and live another day.”

______