Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Fewer Utah drivers are wearing seat belts, and Utah officials have a new campaign to turn those numbers around. That means that, statewide, police are cracking down on drivers who don't buckle up. Drivers will notice new billboards, a TV commercial, and police actively watching for drivers not wearing their seat belts. Here's why — the number of Utah drivers wearing seatbelts keeps dropping. According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, Utah's seatbelt use in 2025 was down to 89.6%. That's a decline from 2024 and 2023, when, at 92.4%, seat belt use hit an all-time high. To encourage more drivers to buckle up, 37 police agencies across the state are working 335 extra shifts, from May 18 through May 31, to ticket drivers not wearing a seat belt. The state is also rolling out a new ad, telling Utah drivers to buckle up and live for another adventure. "Any level of crash could be fatal; we've had very slow mile per hour crashes that ended with fatalities on Utah roads simply because people chose not to buckle up," said Jason Mettmann, Utah Highway Safety Office communications manager. So far in 2026, Utah has seen 16 deadly crashes involving people not wearing their seat belts, resulting in the deaths of 19 people. The research shows women wear their seat belts more than men, by 6.5%. But the message applies to everyone. Utah law states that everyone riding in a car or truck must wear a seat belt. If not, the police will remind you with a ticket.
Related: Trauma experts, Utah family urge safe driving as '100 Deadliest Days' begin
