DPS NEWS

Winter Driving Conditions Reminder – Slow Down, Move Over for Vehicles on the Shoulder

With snow, ice and winter weather back in the forecast, the Utah Highway Patrol is reminding drivers that it’s more important than ever to slow down and move over for vehicles on the shoulder.

Winter in Utah has been mild so far, but snow is back in the forecast.

Ice and snow means the roads will be slick, which means Troopers and other emergency responders will likely be handling crashes.

In addition to other winter driving tips, the Utah Highway Patrol wants to remind drivers of a life-saving one: SLOW DOWN, MOVE OVER for vehicles on the shoulder.

Every winter, troopers and their vehicles are hit when they’re helping others with crashes.

Read a Fox13 Utah article about Trooper Glines, who was hit by a motorist driving too fast for conditions on January 24, 2021.

“This is a problem on our roadways, people not moving over. If you see emergency vehicles with lights on ahead, slow down and move over a lane. Give us some room to work.”

UHP Trooper Brandon Glines whose vehicle was struck on January 24, 2021

These secondary crashes put emergency responders’ lives at risk, as you can see in this video:

You can help them get home safely to their families by following these steps:

SLOW DOWN – you should be traveling under the speed limit, since it’s snowy and icy. Remain vigilant to conditions ahead.

DO NOT BRAKE SUDDENLY – when you get close to the crash site, slamming on your brakes can cause you to slide into the vehicles on the shoulder.

LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO – not at the vehicles on the shoulder. Focus on the road ahead and look at the path you want to follow.

Icy road crashes often happen in multiples – if one car slid and crashed, it’s likely others will, too.

If your vehicles can be moved, drive off the freeway – the road shoulder is dangerous, even when roads are dry.

---