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SALT LAKE CITY — Throughout the year, there are various holidays where there's more imbibing, and therefore more DUI cases. July 4th, Memorial Day and Labor Day are just some of the many when it can be more dangerous on the road, but Halloween is also becoming a big one.
The Utah Highway Patrol will be out in border-to-border force this weekend to help keep Utah's roads safe.
"We're going to have about 160 additional shifts out there on the roads. You'll see an increase in troopers," Sgt. Todd Royce of the Utah Highway Patrol said.
Those extra shifts are possible in part because of a $5,000 grant from the New Car Dealers of Utah.
Last year, troopers responded to more than 1,700 total alcohol-related crashes in Utah, most of which occurred on the weekends. For this reason, extra UHP patrols start tomorrow.
We're going to have about 160 additional shifts out there on the roads. You'll see an increase in troopers.
–Sgt. Todd Royce, UHP
"If people know that Halloween falls on a Friday, and they don't have to go to work on Saturday, you can kind of see the concern that we have," Royce said.
Troopers will also check for seat belt use. Thursday morning, the UHP posted a humorous, Halloween-themed video on Twitter to bring home the seat belt safety message.
"Trooper Vanderbeeken did that video on his own, just because he has such a passion for making sure people buckle up while they drive," Royce said.
Utah Highway Patrol’s effort in being extra cautious on Friday is ultimately to keep people safe and help them get through the weekend with zero fatalities.
“If you think that you can go out on Halloween and get impaired and drive and don't think you're going to run into a trooper or other officer, you need to think again. Because they're going to be out there," Royce said.
And everyone can help. Law enforcement agencies want anyone who sees a drunk driver on the road to immediately call 911.
Check out Trooper Vanderbeeken's video here.
Troopers will hit the road with extra shifts starting at 9 p.m. Friday and will be out all weekend.
