- UHP used 11,400 crushed aluminum cans to symbolize the number of DUI arrests in Utah in 2024.
- DUI cases rise during July holidays.
- Officials urge planning sober rides, highlighting risks of impaired driving and fatalities.
TAYLORSVILLE — Utah Highway Patrol Maj. Jeff Nigbur stood in front of a pile containing more than 11,400 aluminum cans to emphasize a problem.
It's the same number of arrests made for driving under the influence in Utah during 2024.
Cases involving DUIs have been on the rise in recent years, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. They can and often do lead to injuries, fatalities and unsafe driving conditions across the state.
To help the public visualize and understand the threat of drunk driving, the department hosted an event Wednesday where each of the 11,400 aluminum cans represented a DUI arrest.
Speakers and experts also emphasized the dangers of drunk driving. The organizers believe now is the best time to educate the public because DUI cases increase drastically around the Fourth of July and the 24th of July, according to DPS.
Last year there were 201 DUI arrests during the Fourth of July holiday.
"We are reminding everyone this summer that if you choose to drink, don't drive," said Michelle Schmitt, communications director at the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services. "Nothing ruins fun times like a drinking and driving accident. … The bottom line is, if you're not sober, don't drive."
In 2025, Utah is on track to meet or exceed the number of driving arrests in 2024. If arrested, individuals have their cars impounded, spend the night in jail until sober and deal with court and legal issues for roughly the next year. If a fatality is involved, it's must more complicated and usually leads to increased incarceration.
"If you take somebody's life, you will live with that the rest of your life and it's not going to be OK," Nigbur said. "You will not feel OK about it."
Signs posted at liquor stores across the state are designed to help encourage Utahns to drive sober, and include resources to help people learn more about the effects of drunk driving, as well as visual cues not to drink and drive.
"We really get that broad message and people walking past a sign or seeing a pin on store employees. They'll catch those visual cues and be able to keep in mind how they need to plan a sober ride," Schmitt explained.
With today's technology and rideshare abilities, the Utah Department of Public Safety encourages everyone who will be intoxicated to plan rides ahead of time.
"Your life and the lives around you truly depend on it," Schmitt said.
Nothing ruins fun times like a drinking and driving accident … the bottom line is, if you're not sober, don't drive.
–Michelle Schmidt
Last year, 136 people lost their lives due to impaired-driving incidents, either from drugs or alcohol. The average blood-alcohol content of individuals under arrest was .15%, which is three times higher than Utah's legal limit of .05%.
"We don't have the law enforcement to be behind everybody. Every day, there are 2,500 drunk driving trips with resources to only arrest 25," said Art Brown, Utah president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "Those who drink should not drive. Find a safe way home. We all share the same roads, so we need respect for the community and life itself."
The statistics have been extremely concerning for local law enforcement.
"We can't be everywhere at once. We're not going to enforce our way out of this problem. We really need people to stop and think before they get behind the wheel," Nigbur said.
The pile of crushed cans, he hopes, serves as a potent reminder to be safe before getting behind the wheel.
"I'd prefer that the cans behind me be zero," he said. "We talk about numbers all the time. It doesn't have any impact. … This can demonstration shows exactly how big of a problem it is. It's astronomical."
The department encourages the public to report drunk driving and keep Utah's roads safe. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Driving While Impaired Detection Guide states the following driving behavior of potentially drunk drivers:
- Drifting during a turn or curve.
- Inattentiveness to surroundings.
- Swerving or weaving across lanes.
- Stopping too far, too short, too jerky, and having a slow response at traffic signals.
- Driving without headlights at night.
- Varying speed or driving too slow (approximately 10+ mph under the speed limit).
For more information, visit the Utah Highway Patrol's highway safety website.
