DPS NEWS

2018 Click It or Ticket Campaign Kick Off

For Immediate Release:

Saved by the belt – Family shares life-saving story to kick off annual Click It or Ticket Enforcement

Utah joins border-to-border seat belt enforcement held May 21 – June 3

WHAT: Though Maia Florence had to push pause on her soccer career, she is feeling lucky to be alive. To kick off Click it or Ticket seat belt enforcement, the Florence family will share with media how their decision to always wear a seat belt saved their lives.

May 21 begins the two week increased seat belt enforcement period. Utah’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are joining forces with state troopers, police officers and sheriffs’ deputies as part of the border-border effort to increase seat belt use and save lives on our roads. Officers will be working 450 overtime shifts from Monday, May 21 – June 3 to ticket motorists who aren’t wearing a seat belt. Year to date there have been 17 unrestrained fatalities on Utah roads in 2018. Wearing a seat belt is one of the best ways to reduce injuries and deaths in motor vehicle crashes.

A highlight for this year’s enforcement campaign is Utah’s participation in the “Border to Border” Operation on Monday, May 21^st. Law enforcement agencies in Utah will join agencies in its five bordering states – Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming –  to provide increased seat belt enforcement across state borders, sending a zero tolerance message to the public: driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what state. This effort represents six states coming together in a concentrated effort to save lives.

The B2B program aims to increase law enforcement participation in the Click It or Ticket mobilization by coordinating high visibility seat belt enforcement.  Utah is parntering with law enforcement agencies in neighboring states including Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming and Arizona.

Members from The Utah Royals FC, Utah’s National Women Soccer Team, (unbeknownst to Maia Florence) will present Maia a signed jersey and take the Florence family on a tour. Maia will also be invited on the field during the team’s open practice.

WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 11 a.m. (detailed agenda below)

11:00 a.m. – Todd Royce welcome and introductions

11:02 a.m. – UHP Major Jess Anderson remarks

11:05 a.m. – Marc Florence remarks

11:10 a.m. – Media access for one-on-one interviews

11:30 a.m. – Tour given by The Utah Royals FC team member and Maia invited to open practice

WHERE: Rio Tinto Stadium, 9256 State St, Sandy, UT 84070

WHO:

• The Florence Family: Mark, Christy, Maia and Logan
• UHP Major Jess Anderson
• UHP Trooper Blake Bradford, first responder on scene of crash
• The Utah Royals FC

VISUALS & INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• Enforcement representatives and vehicles
• The Florence family, sharing their story of how seat belts saved their lives
• Surprise meet and greet with The Utah Royals FC
• The Royals FC during open practice
• Crashed car photos, family photos and PSA video – provided via thumb drive 

WHY:

Last year 273 people died in fatal collisions on Utah roads and highways, and more than one third (80) of them were not restrained. Buckling up is one of the most effective things people can do to protect themselves in a crash. Seat belts reduce the risk of injury and death by about 50% when used correctly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

When the “Click It or Ticket” campaign first started in 2000, only 67.4% of Utah motorists buckled up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that the steady increase in seat belt usage in Utah since the start of “Click It or Ticket” has resulted in more than 1,700 fewer traffic fatalities on our roadways.

The Utah Department of Public Safety’s Click It or Ticket Campaign is conducted in partnership with the Utah Department of Transportation and Zero Fatalities Program. Visit clickit.utah.gov for more information on Utah’s seat belt laws.

Media Contact:

Todd Royce, UHP PIO

801.556.8261 || troyce@utah.gov