'Zero Fatalities': Utah troopers call Easter crackdown a success

By Bob Mims The Salt Lake Tribune

Published: April 3, 2013 12:12 pm
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Utah Highway Patrol is heralding its recent Easter traffic safety crackdown. Not only did no one die on the state's freeways over the holiday weekend, but the number of crashes dipped dramatically.

UHP Cpl. Todd Johnson said troopers were out in force in "key high-traffic areas" throughout the weekend, and were called to 85 vehicle crashes — a 25 percent reduction from 2012 Easter weekend's 114.

This year's enhanced highway enforcement effort had troopers working 123 overtime shifts statewide above normal staffing levels. Troopers focused on speeding, seat belt use and impaired driving, Johnson said.

In all, UHP apprehended 72 impaired drivers and stopped more than 2,000 vehicles for speeding. Troopers also issued 158 citations and warnings related to drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts.

Special attention was paid to traditional Utah Easter destinations such as the Little Sahara Recreation area in Juab County, the annual Jeep Safari in Grand County, and Utah County's popular Festival of Color events, Johnson said.

remims@sltrib.com

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