Think You’re Sick Of Tickets? UHP Has A Hidden Side

Ok let's just start right out the gate-

Yes, the Utah Highway Patrol writes tickets. In fact, they write a lot of tickets. The total amount of tickets given out in 2024 for seat belt violations, infractions, excessive speeding etc., was likely around 130,000 based on total recorded speeding ticket numbers of around 116,000. And let’s be honest: I don’t agree with that unless the driver is being dangerous, reckless, or genuinely needs to be pulled over. Same goes for unmarked cars that lurk in the shadows like highway ninjas waiting to pounce — if your whole strategy is “hide and surprise,” you’re not protecting the public, you’re ambushing them. Every officer of the law should be here to protect and serve, not lie in wait to ruin someone’s day.

That said, UHP’s job is far bigger than playing speed cop. I do want to point out the amazing job they do in other areas even though I'm frustrated with one aspect of their job. These troopers are often the first ones at a crash on I-15 at 2 a.m., pulling people from wrecked cars or blocking traffic so a medical helicopter can land. They stop impaired drivers before they kill someone, keep semis in check, (EXCEPT on the black ridge on up to Cedar City) and dive into emergencies from wildfires to Amber Alerts. When the road turns deadly, they’re usually the first pair of boots on the pavement.

The Utah Highway Patrol has a reputation problem. Ask the average driver, and they’ll either recall the sting of a speeding ticket or launch into the frustrating story of the hiding officer who made their blood boil. They don’t see the crash scenes at 2 a.m., the troopers dragging someone out of a burning car, or the families who actually make it home because a drunk driver got stopped. That disconnect is exactly why UHP needs some good PR. They need someone who can tell their story, highlight the lifesaving side of the job, and balance out the “gotcha cop hiding behind a billboard” narrative. Without it, the public sees nothing but exorbitant tickets, and that sells short the real value troopers bring to Utah’s highways.

Utah Highway Patrol, consider this my job interview. Hire me for PR, because I’m not afraid to say what's needed. Troopers need someone who can say: “Stop hiding. Give more warnings than tickets.” It’s common sense, it builds goodwill, and it proves you’re here for safety, not revenue. If quotas are the reason we see ambush tactics, then we need to have good leaders and lawmakers fix that. Citizens shouldn’t be gouged with ticket fees to fund policing; that’s what our taxes are for.

So, Utah Highway Patrol — I know you’re more than ticket machines. You’re life-savers. You just need someone to remind people of it. ;)