ST. GEORGE, Utah — With spring events in full swing, St. George police have reported a concerning rise in DUI-related arrests, raising alarms as the “100 Deadliest Days” of summer approach. Over the past week, a dozen DUI-related bookings were made across Washington County, underscoring the ongoing challenge of impaired driving as the region gears up for a busy tourist season.
According to St. George Police spokesperson Tiffany Mitchell, two impaired-driving crashes occurred in quick succession on April 12 and 13. One crash took place near the Pilot gas station off Brigham Road, while the other occurred near Banana Blossom Thai Cuisine on St. George Boulevard. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but authorities emphasized how much worse the situation could have been.
“If there wasn’t a truck parked in front of the restaurant, the driver would have gone right through the restaurant’s glass front,” Mitchell said. “He was going so fast, the restaurant was open, and people were seated right there.”
Mitchell also noted a concerning trend in DUI cases. While alcohol-related incidents remain a significant issue, authorities are seeing an increasing number of impaired-driving cases involving marijuana and prescription drugs. This shift in the nature of DUI offenses highlights the growing variety of substances contributing to impaired driving.
“People think of DUIs and go straight to alcohol,” Mitchell said. “But we’re seeing almost as many involving THC and prescription drugs.”
The surge in DUI arrests comes as St. George hosts several high-profile events, including the Art Festival, the Desertscape Film Festival, and multiple Easter events. The region also saw an uptick in visitors heading to Zion National Park, contributing to an increase in traffic throughout Washington County.
As summer approaches, local authorities are bracing for even higher volumes of traffic, with major events such as the LPGA championship at Black Desert Resort, two other LPGA events at Copper Rock Golf Course, and the Ironman race set to attract more visitors and drivers to the area.
In light of the growing concerns, Mitchell is urging residents and tourists alike to make responsible choices when it comes to transportation. With a variety of alternatives to driving impaired, including rideshares, taxis, public transit, and designated drivers, Mitchell stressed that there is no excuse for impaired driving.
“DUIs are 100% preventable,” she said. “We have so many ways to avoid driving impaired.”
As the “100 Deadliest Days” — a period of increased traffic fatalities between Memorial Day and Labor Day — looms on the horizon, the St. George Police Department is calling on everyone to take extra precautions, plan ahead, and keep the roads safe for all.