HEBER CITY, Utah (ABC4) A Utah Highway Patrol trooper was nearly struck by a white truck on SR-40 last week, prompting a reminder to drivers to increase their following distance on the road.
Video from the incident showed that the trooper was outside of his car while responding to a crash near mile marker 8 on SR-40 in Summit County. Utah Highway Patrol said a truck that was tailing too closely to the car ahead didn’t have time to react to traffic suddenly slowing down for the crash.
“Despite another patrol car parked well behind with emergency lights flashing, the driver failed to slow down and had to swerve at the last second, barely missing the trooper,” Utah Highway Patrol said in a social media post sharing the video.
When interacting with the driver after she pulled over shortly after, the trooper told her his heart was racing.
“I’m so glad you’re ok,” the driver told the trooper. “I just need a second to recover. I’m glad I didn’t hit you.”
The trooper, after making sure the driver was ok, asked her what she learned from the incident.
“Well, I guess not to follow so closely,” she replied.
Slow down, move over
Cpl. Luis Silva told ABC4.com the video is a lesson to Utah drivers that following distance matters on the highway. He added, “Following too close is one of the largest reasons for crashes in Utah.”
In its social media post, Utah Highway Patrol said incidents like the one in the video are the reason why Utah’s move over and slow down law exists.
Under the law, drivers are advised to slow down for emergency vehicles long before they get close. If it is clear and safe, drivers should also move over to the next lane to give emergency vehicles room to operate. If it is not possible to move over, Utah Highway Patrol said to just slow down more.
Either way, UHP encourages drivers to focus on the road ahead and not what’s happening on the side of the highway.
“Please give yourself time and give us space,” UHP concluded in its post.
