Officials Asking Drivers To Be Cautious During National Guard Convoy
Mar 8, 2019, 7:09 AM | Updated: 7:10 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah National Guard will be starting a 900-mile convoy involving at least a dozen military vehicles.
The convoy, which will be made up of large vehicles, will be traveling though the state during the weekend. Drivers may be tempted to slow down and watch the spectacle of the convoy, but officials are asking Utahns to stay clear as the National Guard conducts this training.
We are asking the public to exercise patience and caution while approaching, driving near and/or passing the @UTNationalGuard convoy as it travels throughout the state this weekend. An increased following distance behind the military vehicles is advised. pic.twitter.com/xm0cRgLbSH
— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol) March 6, 2019
“Motorists are advised to be alert and drive safe, especially around the convoys,” according to a tweet from the Utah National Guard. “Military vehicles are large, slow moving, and have significant blind spots. Avoid entering a convoy between vehicles and use extreme caution when passing.”
The training begins Friday and will run through Sunday. Authorities are not releasing the specific locations of the convoy, so motorists need to be aware that they could come in contact with it anywhere in the state.
Officials want the public to be aware that the large military trucks need more than 500 feet to stop when going 65 miles per hour, so vehicles on the highway need to give them plenty of room.
Drivers should also make sure they can see the entire truck in their rearview mirrors before passing in front — and they should keep in mind that these military vehicles have large blind spots, so give them plenty of room even when driving in the lane next to them.
