Utah Department of Public Safety

Our Vests Won’t Stop These Bullets

“We Wear Bullet-Proof Vests, But Our Vests Won’t Stop These Bullets”

New video shows how dangerous the side of the road is and why it’s critical for drivers to slow down, move over and pay attention to the road

 

UTAH – Vehicles traveling at freeway speeds are like bullets: it’s an analogy that the Utah Highway Patrol is hoping will help drivers realize the danger they present to troopers and emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road. The UHP is releasing a new video featuring dashboard camera footage from roadside crashes around the country. The goal is to demonstrate the hazardous nature of the side of the road and to remind drivers of the importance of slowing down, moving over and staying focused on the road when they approach vehicles on the shoulder.

 

The video is available for viewing and sharing

• on the UHP YouTube Channel – https://youtu.be/v7xFXxwZMNA
• on the UHP Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/UtahHighwayPatrol

Much of the dash cam footage originally appeared in a law enforcement training video titled “Your Vest Won’t Stop These Bullets.”

“We use the training video to educate troopers about the dangers they face on the road shoulder,” said Utah Highway Patrol Colonel Danny Fuhr. “But we felt that it could also be a very powerful tool to help drivers understand that when they’re traveling down the road, their vehicle is as dangerous as a bullet to anyone who is on the road shoulder.”

In July, UHP Trooper David Schiers was critically injured in a roadside crash and he is one of several troopers hit this year. “With our troopers, emergency responders and the public at risk every day, we hope this video helps drivers remember to slow down and move over every time they approach emergency vehicles,” said Colonel Fuhr.

These crashes are avoidable, and the UHP advises that all drivers can follow some simple steps to help keep troopers, other emergency vehicle operators and stranded motorists safe.

• Pay attention and scan ahead – when you first notice vehicles on the road shoulder, begin the process of slowing down and moving over a lane.

• Reduce your speed and move over a lane if it is safe to do so – give the vehicles on the shoulder as much room as is safely possible.

• Look where you want to go – not at the crash scene or vehicles on the side of the road. Your vehicle will drift toward the direction you are looking so do not look at the vehicles on the shoulder.

• Know and understand that if you are stranded on the side of the road, you are in a very dangerous place. Reduce your exposure to threats by minimizing the number of people outside of the vehicle and your proximity to passing vehicles.

• If drivers are involved in a crash and their vehicles are moveable, it is important that they move out of travel lanes and far off the roadway. Increasingly, UHP and dispatch are asking motorists involved in minor fender benders to move their vehicles to the next exit and wait for troopers.

• If drivers are changing a flat tire or filling a gas tank, it is critical for them to be far away from travel lanes.