Police agencies to ramp up seat belt enforcement during ‘click it or ticket’ campaign

ST. GEORGE — As summer approaches, the Utah Department of Public Safety and Utah Highway Patrol are reminding Utahns to buckle up. 

Ryan and Morgan Bailey’s wrecked vehicle, November 2022 | Photo courtesy of Utah Department of Public Safety, St. George News

This year’s “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign runs from May 22 through June 4.

During this two-week period, 40 law enforcement agencies throughout Utah will work 380 additional shifts to look for motorists who are not wearing a seat belt.

During a news conference in Salt Lake City in advance of the statewide campaign, Ryan and Morgan Bailey shared their perspective on seat belt safety after surviving a crash last November. 

While the Baileys were on their way from Cedar City to Syracuse to visit family for Thanksgiving, a dog from a nearby crash crossed the highway in front of them. Ryan knew best practice is to avoid swerving, but thinking about his own dogs in the car, his instinct was to avoid the animal. This maneuver caused their truck to roll six times. Luckily, both Ryan and Morgan were safely buckled and survived.

“We were always diligent about wearing a seat belt on long road trips,” Ryan Bailey said. “We sometimes think if it’s a quick drive to the store or just down the street, it’s not necessary to put on your seat belt. This experience taught us to expect the unexpected and always be prepared. We now always buckle up, no matter what. It only takes a second and can truly save your life.”

Click it or Ticket promo, courtesy of Utah Department of Public Safety, St. George News

Buckling up is the single most effective way to survive in a crash, according to the Utah Highway Patrol, and seat belts save over 15,000 lives a year. 

While seat belt use has increased 3.6% from 2021 to 2022, DPS is still urging Utahns to be smart when traveling and use this safety device. There were 79 unrestrained fatalities in 2022, and 29.3% of all fatal crashes in Utah were unrestrained-related over the past five years.

To further encourage Utahns to wear a seat belt, DPS has added to their “Defy Death” campaign on social media, TV, billboards and online.

The campaign features the Grim Reaper attempting to persuade drivers to not buckle up. DPS hopes these humorous spots will encourage increased seat belt use among those typically resistant to the “Click It or Ticket” message. Three examples clips can be viewed in the player above.

News release and media provided by Utah Department of Public Safety.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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