DPS NEWS

Dashcam captures head-on collision where seat belts saved lives

Click it or Ticket seat belt enforcement happening November 16-29

WHAT: 

Media are invited to hear from crash survivors Jillian White and Ty Bolton who credit their seat belts for saving their lives when a wrong-way driver hit their vehicle. The couple hopes their story will encourage travelers to buckle up this holiday season and always. 

This month’s Click It or Ticket enforcement effort will be focused on day and nighttime seat belt use.

There will be increased seat belt enforcement throughout Utah from November 16-29.

During this time, law enforcement agencies throughout the state will work more than 775 additional shifts to stop and educate motorists who aren’t wearing a seat belt.

The enforcement period is strategically planned around the Thanksgiving holiday.  

Nationally, unrestrained fatalities occur more at night, 58.3% of unbuckled deaths occurred in nighttime crashes during 2019 (an average of 51% over the last five years). Even with over 90% of Utahans using seat belts, unrestrained fatalities accounted for a staggering 33.8% of the total roadway deaths in Utah in 2019. (an average of 43.3% over the last five years)

Read about the Border to Border campaign that kicked off this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement here.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 9:30am

WHERE: The media event will be held virtually – contact PIO for information about how to access the event.

WHO:

• Jillian White and Ty Bolton, head-on collision crash survivors 
• Colonel Michael Rapich, Deputy Commissioner, Utah Highway Patrol 
• Lt. Nick Street, Utah Highway Patrol
• Trooper Mikki Vargas, Utah Highway Patrol (Spanish speaker)

VISUALS:

• Dashcam footage of the head-on collision 
• Crash photos
• Jillian and Ty story
• Click it or Ticket Campaign materials 

Digital versions of all visuals can be found here

Media Contacts:

Lt. Nick Street 

DPS/UHP – PIO

nstreet@utah.gov

801.554.5659

John Gleason

UDOT – PIO

jgleason@utah.gov

801.560.7740

Trp. Mikki Vargas

UHP – PIO (Spanish speaking)

mvargas@utah.gov

385.246.5946