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Sandra Yi ReportingTwo people have died on Utah roads this holiday weekend. And as people continue heading home today, the Utah Highway Patrol is trying to make your commute safe.
The rush home started this afternoon and there'll be more cars on the road in a few hours.
Michelle McLaughlin, UHP Trooper: "It gets worse than commuter traffic on a regular work day."
Today trooper Michelle McLaughlin is watching out for drivers.
Michelle McLaughlin: "I haven't been able to catch anybody without their seat belt on, which is a good thing."
McLaughlin is glad there have been no major crashes or fatalities so far in Salt Lake County.
Michelle McLaughlin: "I think a lot of people are paying attention this weekend."
Still, McLaughlin says too many people are speeding. She stopped one driver for going nearly 20 miles over the speed limit in a construction zone.
All weekend troopers have been out in force. Since Friday, they've made 476 traffic stops and cited nearly just as many people, including passengers, for aggressive driving and not wearing seat belts.
There are also 30 troopers targeting drunk drivers. They've made 30 DUI arrests and issued 173 tickets or warnings.
Michelle McLaughlin: "There are always people that are drinking and there are always people that are driving. It's whether you can get them before they hurt somebody is the big issue."
McLaughlin says one drunk driver is lucky to be alive and lucky he didn't hurt anyone this weekend. That driver hit a power pole.
Michelle McLaughlin: "He snapped it in half, but he was really drunk."
As traffic builds this evening, she cautions everyone on the road to drive safely. Her advice? Don't follow too closely, watch your speed, and wear your seat belt.
Michelle McLaughlin: "You need to be defensive with your driving habits too, because you don't know what other people are doing and what their attitudes are."
