The Utah Department of Public Safety reported a decline in statewide seat belt usage, prompting 37 police agencies to launch an enforcement campaign featuring extra patrol shifts and new public advertisements.
Declining seat belt usage rates
According to data from the Utah Department of Public Safety, seat belt use in 2025 dropped to 89.6%, falling from a high of 92.4% recorded in both 2023 and 2024, as KSLTV reported.
Increased police enforcement campaign details
To combat this trend, police agencies across the state will work 335 extra shifts between May 18 and May 31 to ticket drivers failing to buckle up.
Fatalities linked to unrestrained occupants
Jason Mettmann, communications manager for the Utah Highway Safety Office, noted that even low-speed crashes can result in fatalities when occupants are not restrained.
Recent statistics on deadly crashes
So far in 2026, 19 people have died in 16 deadly crashes involving individuals not wearing seat belts, according to KSLTV.
Methods for collecting crash data
The Utah Highway Safety Office collects crash data from law enforcement reports on public roadways, specifically tracking incidents involving injuries, deaths, or property damage exceeding $2,500.
Data processing and reporting systems
This data is processed through the Department of Public Safety's data warehouse and the national Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database.
While the seat belt campaign focuses on roadway safety, recent emergency responses in Utah have highlighted the dangers of outdoor recreation as well. In Emery County, a 33-year-old man was rescued by a DPS helicopter after a bag anchor system failure caused him to fall 20 to 30 feet during a rappel in Buckeyes Canyon.
