This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I recently had a perfectly wonderful road trip through four states. It included driving in cities, towns and multiple highways. I was so impressed.
Everyone stayed to the right on multilane roads, people used their turn signals and, in heavier traffic, created spaces for others to merge from on-ramps or side streets.
In other words, people, many from other states as well, were, in general, very courteous and aware of the other drivers around them. I called my wife during the trip and made it a point to mention how wonderful the driving experience was.
And then I returned to Utah and disappointment. Just a few miles north of Brigham City, the insanity set in. Left-lane hogs, tailgating, cutting others off (including myself) — and a lot of these were SUVs with kids in car seats (I wonder where habits, good or bad, come from). I can only imagine the stories people from other states tell about their experience on Utah roads. It's quite sad.
Dan Marrs
Farmington