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November
27, 2002
News
specialist Sam Penrod reporting
Thousands of Utahns are hitting the road for the Thanksgiving
weekend.
And they can expect to encounter an unusually high number
of Utah Highway Patrol troopers.
Forty-four troopers hit the road along Highway 6 this morning,
beginning a special enforcement blitz at the beginning of
the holiday season.
"We're just up here to make some contacts, keep people
safe and make that lasting impression and create awareness
during the holidays," says Lt. Mitch Ingersoll with the
Utah Highway Patrol.
Because of the narrow lanes and winding curves on Highway
6, troopers say adding aggressive drivers to the mix is a
dangerous combination.
While troopers are looking for speed and illegal passing violations,
they are emphasizing the Highway Patrol's "buckled or
busted" campaign.
"The biggest reason I'm stopping you is for no seatbelt.
You know you need to wear that baby, right? How come you don't
have it on? It's not
a habit? ... What can I do to make it a habit?" Ingersoll
asks one driver.
In this situation, trooper Cory Wilder issues a warning for
a lane change violation, but gives this driver a ticket for
not wearing a seat belt.
Troopers say after investigating so many accidents where people
were seriously hurt or killed without seatbelts, they are
disappointed to see so many people not buckled up.
Troopers say simple safety rules can help keep the highway
safe for everyone.
"During this time of year, we get a lot more traffic,
and everybody trying to get to a certain point. If we can
leave early enough, everyone in the car buckled up in the
car, and we obey the speed limit, everybody can get there
safely and we can enjoy time with our families," says
trooper Cory Wilder.
Troopers have made hundreds of traffic stops already today.
They are trying to give out warnings, but are issuing some
tickets to show they are serious about making the highways
safe during the holidays.
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