LOCAL NEWS

Utah troopers focus on seat belt enforcement to save lives this summer

May 20, 2018, 10:59 PM | Updated: May 22, 2018, 10:23 am

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The 100 deadliest days on Utah roads begins Memorial Day weekend.  This year the Utah Highway Patrol and law enforcement agencies across the West are joining forces to give drivers “extra encouragement” to stay safe.

Starting Monday, troopers will be watching specifically to see if drivers are wearing a seat belt.  If they’re not, they’re going to get a ticket, along with everyone in the car.  The best way to avoid a fine is also simple, just buckle up.

“I can’t even tell, on one of the vehicles, what it is,” said Mark Florence as he looks at a photo of a crash he was in.  “It’s so mangled.  It brings back a lot of emotions.”

Mark Florence points to a photo of his car after an accident. He credits seat belts for his family’s survival.

Last summer, Florence, along with his wife and two children, were headed up Provo Canyon when they were hit by a car spinning out of control.

“I saw it crash through the median, or through that cable barrier, and hit head on into us,” said Florence.

The entire family was wearing their seat belts.

“We know that seat belts save lives,” said Sgt. Nathan Croft with the Utah Highway Patrol. “We know that in 2016, 48% of the people who were involved in fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts.”

The highway patrol says the statistics are high. In 2017, 87 people who were killed in crashes were not buckled up.

UHP hopes this year is different.  Utah is teaming up with troopers in Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona. The message: driving or riding unbuckled will get you a ticket, no matter what state.

“We can pull someone over for not wearing their seat belt,” said Sgt. Croft. “That’s the only reason we need.”

It’s a message that the Florence family hopes people really listen to.

“The Monday after the accident I had to go back to the salvage yard to pick up some things out of our vehicle and I actually started crying in our car because I realized we actually survived this,” said Florence. “It was just a testament to me of wearing your seat belts.”

UHP says the minimum fine for not wearing a seat belt is $45 and everyone in the car over age 16 and not buckled up, get their own ticket.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Huntsville, Weber County, is pictured on Oct. 6, 2021. A delivery driver died Tuesday, a day after ...

Collin Leonard, KSL.com

Delivery driver dies after being crushed by vehicle near Huntsville

A delivery driver has died after being pinned between her car and a garage, according to the Weber County Sheriff's Office.

2 hours ago

A multi-vehicle crash near the Point of the Mountain in Lehi is causing heavy delays on southbound ...

Mariah Maynes

Multi-vehicle crash causing heavy delays in Lehi

A multi-vehicle crash near the Point of the Mountain in Lehi is causing heavy delays on southbound Interstate 15 Tuesday.

3 hours ago

Pope Francis touches his eyes as he presides over a mass for the jubilee of the armed forces in St....

Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope rebukes Trump administration over migrant deportations, and appears to take direct aim at Vance

Pope Francis has issued a major rebuke to the Trump administration’s mass deportation of migrants.

7 hours ago

Steven Willard Anderson...

Michael Houck

Body of missing man found in Starvation Reservoir, sheriff’s office confirms

Authorities confirmed they found the body of a man who went missing nearly two decades ago in Starvation Reservoir.

9 hours ago

A group of cancer activists at Utah's Capitol Hill for Cancer Action Day. (American Cancer Society)...

Tamara Vaifanua

Looking Out for the Good: Cancer activists to gather with elected officials on Capitol Hill

Activists and patients will be at Utah's Capitol Hill to meet with elected officials, sharing their stories and pushing policies that aid the fight against cancer.

11 hours ago

KSL’s Matt Gephardt blends cream, milk and sugar to make ice cream. The cost of his homemade ice ...

Matt Gephardt

Gephardt Gets It: We made five often used foods on our own. Here’s where we saved money on our groceries

Groceries have gotten pricey. But by making some of your own food, you can cut costs by over 30%.

20 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

Utah troopers focus on seat belt enforcement to save lives this summer