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Snow makes it tough for drivers on Utah roads

Utah Highway Patrol reports 134 crashes as of 6 p.m., but storm was expected to wind down later Saturday night.

(Sara Tabin | The Salt Lake Tribune) Saturday brought heavy snowfall, and with it more accidents on the road, to Utah.

(Sara Tabin | The Salt Lake Tribune) Saturday brought heavy snowfall, and with it more accidents on the road, to Utah.

Utah finally got a lot of snow on Saturday, but with it came a lot of car crashes.

Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Gordon said around 6 p.m. that UHP had helped with 134 crashes statewide. He said that is a lot of crashes for one day, especially on a weekend. Gordon said most of the crashes caused only minor injuries, but there was one fatality on I-15 in Box Elder Canyon that is under investigation.

Drivers should stay vigilant even when the snowfall slows, according to Gordon. He said the roads are still wet and slick and ice will form after temperatures drop.

Gordon said people should give themselves a lot of time to get to their destinations so they can go below the speed limit in case conditions are bad. He said people should make sure their headlights, brake-lights and taillights are working and that they have enough tire tread.

Anyone driving in any canyons should also make sure to have chains available in case it starts to snow.

The heavy snow in northern Utah should wind down Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service, but a winter storm is expected Monday and Tuesday in central and southern Utah. For those who have been putting off getting snow tires, now might be the time.


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