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UHP wants drivers to pull off road after a fender bender

Posted at 12:29 AM, Nov 11, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-11 02:29:52-05

SALT LAKE CITY - The Utah Highway Patrol and Utah Dept. of Transportation are encouraging drivers involved in minor crashes on the freeway to pull off and dial 911 to help keep troopers and emergency responders safe.

UHP held a conference last week to educate the public on what exactly motorists need to do when they're involved in a fender bender.

"Our goal in this whole process is if we can clear up the initial crash as quickly as possible, we will prevent the second crash, the third crash, and so on and so forth," said UHP Col. Daniel Fuhr. "The message today is this: If you're involved in a minor fender bender, we want you to move that crash off of the interstate completely as quickly as possible."

Robert Hull, Director of Traffic and Safety for UDOT, says moving off the freeway keeps troopers, emergency responders and other commuters safer. State officials say the directive is in full compliance with the Utah traffic code and doesn't affect determination of fault in the crash.

"If you're in an accident, dial 911. The law has changed and we want you to get to a safe place," said Rep. Eric Hutchings, R-Kearns.

Fuhr says that when you're involved in a fender bender, pull off to the side of the road, call 911 and they'll ask a series of questions about injuries, if the vehicles are driveable. If there are no serious injuries and the vehicles can be driven, they'll ask the drivers to move the vehicles to an emergency lane and to a crash-reporting area while waiting for police to arrive.

For more information, visit publicsafety.utah.gov