Additional officers to patrol Utah roads in April searching for distracted drivers

LINDON — Legislation enforcement businesses throughout Salt Lake County and Utah County mentioned Thursday that officers and Utah Freeway Patrol troopers are working additional shifts on Utah roads with unmarked autos to patrol for distracted drivers.

The blitz comes at a pivotal time.

To this point in 2024, Utah has reached over 940 crashes brought on by distracted drivers, a lot of whom had been texting whereas driving, officers mentioned.

Utah Freeway Patrol Maj. Steve Salas mentioned on any day troopers are on patrol catching distracted drivers who are usually not 100% targeted on driving.

“Individuals are distracted. Texting, checking emails, trying issues up on their cellphone,” Salas mentioned.

It’s why 12 months after 12 months, officers hear, hop on, and head out for a distracted driving blitz.

This consists of officers in unmarked autos.

“When you get that unmarked automobile subsequent to folks, you possibly can see their habits. You possibly can truly seize it,” Salas mentioned.

All through the month, 44 police businesses throughout Utah are working over 400 extra shifts targeted on distracted driving enforcement.

“Utah’s inhabitants is rising. Our registered autos is rising. Our highways are busy,” Salas mentioned.

When you assume you see extra patrol, you’d be proper, because the Freeway Security Workplace triples enforcement efforts this 12 months.

The distracted driving blitz comes simply earlier than the “100 deadliest days”, a interval on Utah roads when fatalities are likely to see a major rise.

That is another excuse to ship that textual content later.

“Simply keep off your cellphone, until you want it for an emergency, if it’s worthwhile to name in and report one thing, or it is a medical emergency. Simply keep off your cellphone when you’re driving on the freeway,” Salas mentioned.

Thursday, spotters will primarily be protecting the Wasatch Entrance and I-15.