This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In response to Andrew McGuire's commentary on June 21, I am not convinced that lowering the BAC limit to .05 will improve driving habits on Utah's streets and highways.
Statistically, Utah's traffic is less than the national average, but road fatalities are higher than the national average. I believe I read that in The Tribune. I know I have personally witnessed it on the road ... time and time again. So, unless Utah drivers are drunk all day long, something is wrong.
I grew up in New York City, and lived most of my adult life in Southern California. I know traffic.
It seems that Utah drivers have reinvented the "New York minute," the shortest measurable time on record, the time between the traffic light turning green and the driver behind you honking.
I've seen people cross all the lanes of the freeway at once, pass on the right, tailgate, cut other drivers off, drive 75 mph in a 50 mph construction zone, while passing over a solid line on a curve, etc., etc., ad infinitum.
In fact, I avoid driving on I-215 if at all possible. Ironically, I find people in Utah to be polite courteous, mellow, helpful and generally just very pleasant people.
Yet not when they're driving. It's a total conundrum.
Do these same people turn into Mr. Hyde (or the Incredible Hulk) on the road? Curious.
Judith F. Zuckert
Sandy