Wyoming, Utah Troopers kick off I-80 challenge

The Wyoming Highway Patrol, along with other state agencies from California to New Jersey will be out in full force keeping motorists safe during the Interstate 80 Challenge Highway Safety Initiative. From July 24th to July 31st, the Wyoming Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officials serving the Interstate 80 corridor across the U.S. will be cracking down on drivers who are speeding, driving drunk or distracted, or not wearing a seat belt, with the goal of achieving a zero fatality rate for the eight-day period. The Wyoming Highway Patrol hopes the increased enforcement will help drivers and passengers arrive safely to their summer destinations.
This safety initiative targets a heavy summer travel period when the rate of fatal and injury crashes on I-80 is higher than any other time of the year. Over 15 people were killed in traffic crashes on I-80 in Wyoming last year alone.
Nationally, in 2011, more than 21,000 passenger vehicle occupants across the nation were killed in traffic crashes. Of those fatalities, 52 percent were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes. Approximately 9,900 people were killed in drunk driving crashes, with more than 3,330 killed in fatal crashes involving a distracted driver, and nearly 10,000 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes.Law enforcement encourages drivers to slow down, stay off your phone and don’t drink and drive.