Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Far too many deadly crashes in Utah involve someone not wearing a seat belt.
That's why, starting Monday, law enforcement agencies will be out in force, cracking down on those who don't buckle up.
Morgan and Ryan Bailey are true believers, especially after what happened last year.
On Thanksgiving, they were driving from Cedar City to Syracuse, when a dog crossed the highway right in front of them.
"Instincts kicked in. When it was an animal, I didn't expect it." Ryan Bailey said.
Another thing the couple didn't expect is, what would happen after they tried to dodge the dog.
"There was dirt flying everywhere glass flying everywhere. I can still, today, remember. I can hear the sound," Morgan Bailey said. "I can smell, like, the dirt and taste the dirt. Anytime I think about it."
Their car rolled six times.
"By the time we stopped rolling. I, um, was yelling Ryan's name and he wasn't responding and, sorry," she said, wiping her eyes. "It's probably the scariest thing that has ever happened to me."
They called it a miracle that they were still here and that their unborn baby was unharmed.
They say the one thing they had control over might just have saved their lives.
"I don't know what we would have done if we didn't have (our seat belts," said Ryan Bailey. "I think we would have probably been thrown from the vehicle and, at that point, um, were not as lucky."
To ensure safety among vehicles traveling throughout Utah, 40 law enforcement agencies will work nearly 400 additional shifts to ensure everyone is buckled up in the coming weeks.
"We would like to not give a citation," said Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Colonel Mark Zesiger. "We would like to just do education to make sure that these people know that this is important. We would like to see everybody wearing their seat belt."
The Salt Lake couple said they will forever be grateful for that piece of material that strapped them to their seats that day.
"So much of what goes on on the road is outside of your control, but wearing your seat belt is something that you can control," Morgan Bailey said. Her husband agreed, saying, "You can save your life, and it's saved our lives."
They hope their story makes others think twice about skipping that important step to buckle up.
Increased law enforcement will be noticeable throughout the state starting Monday, May 22.
