Law enforcement agencies in Utah are ramping up their efforts to enforce the state’s seat belt laws from March 22 to March 25. The Utah Department of Public Safety wants to ensure that everyone is aware of the increased enforcement and has no excuse for not buckling up.
The department has announced that 18 agencies across the state will be increasing their efforts this weekend by working more than 120 overtime shifts. Their main focus will be to stop and educate motorists who are not wearing seat belts. In addition to this, they have launched a social media campaign called “Defy Death,” which showcases the Grim Reaper’s attempts to convince drivers to buckle up.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) expressed hope that this message will effectively reach individuals who are resistant to the typical “Click It or Ticket” campaign.
Despite the fact that a significant majority of individuals in cars use seat belts, the number of fatalities among those who choose not to wear them remains alarmingly high.
There is additional information available regarding traffic and roads.
According to Sgt. Cameron Roden of the Utah Highway Patrol, in the past five years, approximately 30% of individuals who lost their lives in traffic accidents were not wearing seatbelts. However, in 2023, this percentage increased significantly to 43%.
According to Roden, seat belts play a crucial role in ensuring traffic safety. They are highly effective in keeping occupants securely in place and preventing them from becoming projectiles during a crash. In addition, seat belts aid drivers in maintaining control of the vehicle. Roden further emphasizes that seat belts save approximately 15,000 lives each year.
According to DPS statistics in 2023, the use of seat belts increased to 92.4%. This highlights the significance of the deaths that occurred due to lack of restraint.
In 2023, a total of 64 individuals lost their lives due to not wearing seat belts. Alarmingly, over half of these fatalities occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., a time period characterized by less traffic. The decreased use of seat belts during these hours contributed to the higher number of deaths. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) emphasized the importance of seat belt usage to prevent such tragic incidents.
