dui.com - Utah Leads Nation in Reduction of DUI Arrests

Two Officers Arrested for DUI in Utah

Monica — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:06:12 -0500

In a span of two days one Odgen Police Department officers were officially charged with suspicion of driving under the influence in Utah and a second officer was cited for suspicion of drunk driving.

On early Sunday morning June 28, Ogden police detective Robert Tracey Buck was stopped for speeding and erratic driving. A breath test revealed a BAC of .122%. The detective was issued a citation for drunk driving in Utah, though formal charges still may be filed. He was released to the custody of his brother.

On June 30, Officer Jared Tongsaeng Ingalsbe was involved in a single vehicle accident in the suburb of Harrisville that sheared off a power pole and damaged several trees. Ingalsbe was transported to a hospital with injuries where he consented to a blood draw. Preliminary testing reflected a blood alcohol content right at or slightly above the legal limit of .08% at the time of the accident. A prescription depressant was also detected. The drug would have contributed to impairment and created the equivalent of having a BAC of .16% or twice the legal limit. Ingalsbe was formally charged with Class B misdemeanor DUI in Utah. The case has been transferred to a prosecutor in another municipality because the city attorney of Harrisville is also the city attorney of Ogden.

The Ogden police department would not comment on the two cases. If convicted of Utah DUI, the officers face a two year suspension of their law enforcement certification, along with fines, loss of driver's license and possible jail time.

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New Utah DUI Law Calls for Vehicle Seizure

Monica — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:29:58 -0500

The Utah legislature recently passed measures that dramatically changed access to liquor in the state. Now bars are not required to operate as private clubs and restaurants will be able to serve drinks. Due to more relaxed availability of alcohol, some lawmakers saw the need to strengthen laws dealing with driving under the influence in Utah.

A new law set to take effect today calls for the seizure of vehicles used by repeat DUI offenders. The bill is not retroactive, so only those convicted of felony DUI after May 12 who have their driver's license suspended and are subsequently re-arrested and convicted of another drunk driving offense on a suspended license are subject to losing their vehicle. Provisions are in place to address vehicles that have been loaned to the drunk driver, protect those who have financed the vehicle and are owed money, and help families with only one form of transportation.

Based on past statistics for DUI in Utah, it is anticipated that 10 vehicles a month will be subject to seizure. The condition and age of the vehicle will also influence the prosecution’s decision to seize a vehicle. Confiscated vehicles can be auctioned off with the proceeds funding grants to local law enforcement agencies.

Additional UT DUI provisions becoming law include extending the period of time for a license suspension from 90 to 120 days and a series of escalating penalties for under-age drinking that include loss of license, mandatory substance abuse treatment and, with repeat offenses, jail.

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Utah DUI Related Fatalities Lowest In Nation

Monica — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:14:05 -0600

A report to be presented to state legislators indicates that Utah has the lowest percentage of fatalities attributable to driving under the influence. With the most recent figures show the United States average is 41%, Utah DUI accounts for 22% of road fatalities.

The report is the sixth such accounting. It indicates a slight drop in drunk-driving related fatalities from 2006 to 2007. It also shows an increase in the number of arrests for driving under the influence in Utah; up 639 arrests to a total of 15,300. The fiscal accounting period ended June 30.

If you have been arrested for DUI in Utah you need a UT DUI Lawyer.

Utah Leads Nation in Reduction of DUI Arrests

Monica — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 17:18:13 -0500

More than 14,000 DUI arrests were made in Utah during 2005, which includes drunk drivers as well as those operating vehicles while impaired by drugs. Of that number, 32 accidents resulted in a death. Fortunately that represents a 51% reduction in Utah DUI related fatalities.

Sgt. Ted Tingey of the Utah Highway Patrol stated that "we're one of the lucky states, our rates have been coming down. We're still having problems, but we're making progress and that's good."

The reduction is due in part to the use of roadblock sobriety checkpoints and roving DUI patrols, as well as a nationwide focus on the highest demographic shown to be arrested for DUI. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ad campaign ‘Drunk Driving: Over the Limit. Under Arrest.’ targets 21 to 34 year old men who are

statistically the most likely age group to drink and drive. NHTSA administrator Nicole Nason notes that demographic demonstrates "a higher likelihood, or frequency, to drink and drive. They're also the least likely to wear their seat belts (and) the most likely to speed."

Of the 32 DUI related accidents in Utah resulting in a death, twelve involved drivers between 21 and 34 years of age.

Nationwide the number of alcohol related traffic deaths was only slightly lower in 2005 compared to the previous year. Of the fifty states and the District of Columbia the following jurisdictions showed the biggest changes in DUI fatalities:

Utah - 50.7% reduction in DUI fatalities

Maryland and Rhode Island - 23.7% reduction

Massachusetts - 20.7% reduction

Oregon - 19.3% reduction

Connecticut - 18.8% reduction

Vermont - 40% increase in DUI fatalities

Delaware - 35.9% increase

North Dakota - 32.4% increase

District of Columbia - 30.8% increase

Hawaii - 20.5% increase