Distracted driving? Law enforcement statewide is begins ‘covert’ crack down

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Keep your phone put away and avoid eating while you’re on the road as law enforcement agencies throughout Utah warn they are ramping up efforts to crack down on distracted driving.

It’s an issue that the Department of Public Safety said is a “serious problem” in Utah.

There were 5,147 distracted driving crashes on Utah state roads in 2024, resulting in nearly 1,900 injuries, according to the Department of Public Safety. Of those, 21 people lost their lives. DPS data shows most of these crashes were caused by younger drivers.

To kick off the increased enforcement, officers in Salt Lake and Utah Counties are launching a ‘covert’ operation, running until April 14, using unmarked vans to spot drivers violating distracted driving laws. The vans will then report the drivers to nearby marked officers, who will then take the opportunity to educate or even issue a citation to violators.

Skyler Gray and Lilly Callahan, two recent Utah Valley University graduates who conducted a student-led public safety campaign on distracted driving, said distracted driving comes in many forms, not just texting. Their research found that many drivers would be talking on the phone, touching up their makeup, or even brushing their teeth.

Callahan said that many drivers can feel invincible on the road, but how safe you are driving is the only thing you have full control over.

“It’s so important to not drive distracted because you’re not the only one on the road. You can only control you and your car,” said Callahan. “It’s your responsibility with a license, with a vehicle, to be the safest you can be on the road.”

Gray said many drivers they spoke to even were aware they were driving distracted, but maybe had a hard time stopping.

“But I think with the busyness of their life, like balancing school, balancing work and friends and social, they maybe felt like the car was my time to get a few things done,” said Gray.

Callahan added that, if it helps, think of driving as your time to take a break from life.

“It is kind of nice to have a moment where we can completely pause life and just focus on one thing at a time,” said Callahan. “It’s the one time where you don’t have to feel guilty and that you don’t have to be multitasking and habit stacking all of these things. Just focus on one thing and keep everyone else safe.”