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Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Reckless driving.
Negligent homicide.
එඕඔඑඍඌ උඖඛඍඖග ඔඉඟ
When you drive a vehicle or a motorboat in Utah, it is implied that you will submit to a chemical
test of your breath, blood, urine, or oral fluids to determine the alcohol or drug content if asked to
do so by a peace officer. This is called the implied consent law.
Utah accepts the results of the chemical tests to help determine whether an individual has been
driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle or a motorboat while under the influence of alco-
hol, drugs, or both if an officer arrests you for driving. At the same time, in such a condition, you
must submit to the chemical tests selected or designated by the officer.
If you refuse to do so, your driver license would be revoked for 18 months for the first offense and
36 months for the second or subsequent offenses. If under 21, the license will be revoked for two
(2) years for the first offense, and for the second or subsequent offenses, it would be 36 months
or until the age of 21, whichever is longer.
Any time your driver license is suspended/revoked for an alcohol-related offense, you may apply
for a new driver license after the suspension/revocation period by paying the reinstatement and
the regular license fees and by taking the required examinations. An additional administrative fee
may be required in some cases. If a driver does not comply with the court orders, the court will
notify the Driver License Division, suspending the driver license until the driver has done all that
the court ordered. More information regarding DUI license suspensions can be found at
dld.utah.gov/dui.
D. ALCOHOL-RESTRICTED DRIVER
When action is taken against a driving privilege for an alcohol-related offense, the driver is placed
under an alcohol-restricted status for 2, 3, 5, or 10 years, depending on the number and type of
offenses. A lifetime alcohol-restricted status will result when a driver is convicted of negligent
homicide or a felony DUI.
The alcohol-restricted status begins on the effective date of revocation or suspension for DUI, al-
cohol-related reckless driving, impaired driving, homicide, per se arrest, refusal to submit to a
chemical test, driving with alcohol in the body while on an alcohol-restricted status, or driving
without an ignition interlock device installed in the vehicle while on an ignition interlock restricted
device.
Once a driver has reinstated the driving privilege following an applicable alcohol offense, the alco-
hol-restricted status remains in effect for a 2, 3, 5, or 10-year period or lifetime from the effective
date of the original suspension or revocation action. Following the reinstatement of the driving
privilege, the driver will retain full driving privileges; however, if convicted of driving with any
measurable amount of alcohol during the alcohol-restricted period, the driver license will be re-
voked for one year.
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E. BOATING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE
If you operate a motorboat while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, the same laws apply as if
you were operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
If you have been drinking any alcoholic beverages, don’t take a chance. Let someone who has
not been drinking alcoholic beverages do the driving.
F. IGNITION INTERLOCK RESTRICTED DRIVER
Your driving privilege will be suspended when you are an ignition interlock-restricted driver. The
suspension may be reinstated by installing an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle and
paying the required reinstatement fee to the Driver License Division. If the IID is removed from
the vehicle before your alcohol-restricted driver restriction period ends, your driving privilege will
be re-suspended.
For a list of certificated ignition interlock system providers, visit dld.utah.gov/IID.
When an individual has been convicted of a first DUI, they are automatically restricted to driving a
vehicle that has an IID installed for 18 months from the date of conviction or the effective date of
the license suspension or three (3) years if they are under the age of 21 when they are arrested.
When an individual has been convicted of a second or subsequent DUI impaired driving or alco-
hol-related reckless driving violation, or they have been revoked for refusal to submit to a chemi-
cal test after being arrested for driving under the influence, they are automatically restricted to
driving a vehicle that has an IID installed for three (3) years from the date of conviction or the ef-
fective date of the revocation.
Felony DUI carries a six-year IID restriction, and negligent homicide carries a ten-year IID re-
striction.
If an individual drives a vehicle without an IID installed when restricted, the vehicle may be im-
pounded. In addition, the driver may be cited for violating the interlock-restricted driver (IRD) law.
A conviction for violating the IRD law will result in the driver license revocation for one year and
an additional three-year IID restriction from the date of conviction.
Ignition interlock-restricted drivers are required to have the device monitored at least every 60
days. If a driver fails to have the device monitored or if they attempt to start the vehicle with a
measurable amount of alcohol, the ignition interlock requirement will be extended by 60 days for
each occurrence.
G. IMPOUND OF VEHICLE
If a driver is arrested for DUI, the officer may have the vehicle or motorboat impounded. If a vehi-
cle is impounded, the DMV will notify the owner of the vehicle and provide information on what
must be done to get the vehicle out of impound. The impounded vehicle will be released to the
owner once all requirements have been met and all fees paid. Fees the owner must pay include
towing, storage charges, and administrative costs. If an impounded vehicle is not claimed within
the allowed time, it shall be sold.
The court may order the arrested person to pay all fees associated with the impound or reimburse
anyone who may have paid the fees.
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If a driver is convicted in court for a violation of DUI, driving with a controlled substance in the
body, or negligent homicide, and was previously convicted for a felony DUI, a felony drug-related
driving violation, or negligent homicide for a violation that occurred after May 1, 2009, and had
their license suspended or revoked in connection with the violation, their impounded vehicle may
be subject to criminal forfeiture, and may be sold.
More information regarding DUI license suspensions can be found at dld.utah.gov/dui.
55
A distraction is anything that takes your mind or body away from driving. Distractions can cause
crashes, injuries, and deaths. Not looking at the road or taking your hands off the steering wheel
is dangerous. Anything that takes your mind away from driving is a hazard.
Avoid distractions before driving by turning off mobile devices, setting navigation systems, eating
and grooming before you leave, and securing all loose items.
When driving:
Do not talk on the phone, and do not text.
Don’t argue with passengers.
Do not eat while driving.
Be sure children are safely buckled up.
Keep pets in a pet carrier, not loose in a vehicle.
Eliminate things that take your mind away from driving.
Sometimes, while driving, you may drop something, lose a contact lens, be stung by a bee, or be
distracted in another way. Some people panic when something like this happens. They become
more concerned with the problem than about their driving and often run off the road or into the car
in front of them. Don’t let this happen to you. If you have a problem or there is a distraction, im-
mediately pull over to the side of the roadway and take care of the problem.
A. AGGRESSIVE/ROAD RAGE DRIVING
Aggressive driving is when you commit moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons
or property; an assault with a motor vehicle or other dangerous weapon by the operator or pas-
senger of one motor vehicle on the operator or passengers of another motor vehicle. Don’t get
angry when other drivers make mistakes or act rudely. Be patient and courteous to others.
Road rage is on the rise in Utah. Utah law defines road rage as the commission of a criminal of-
fense by:
An operator of a vehicle;
In response to an incident that occurs or escalates upon a roadway; and
With the intent to endanger or intimidate an individual in another vehicle
The court may order that your license be suspended for one (1) year on the first conviction.
B. AVOIDING COLLISIONS WITH ANIMALS
You can reduce your chances of colliding with an animal by:
Using caution when driving at dawn and dusk when animals are most active.
Being alert when driving on roadways marked with deer crossing signs. These signs
SECTION 11: Distractions & Driving Challenges
56
are placed in areas with many deer/vehicle collisions.
Look well down the road and at the sides of the road. Slow down and use caution
when approaching animals standing near the roadway; they may bolt or change direc-
tion at the last minute, and other deer may follow.
Do not swerve to avoid the animal; your risk of personal injury may be greater if you do.
Keep your vehicle under control and in the travel lane.
Watch for dogs and cats in residential areas and try to avoid hitting them.
If you need help pull, to the side of the road, turn on your emergency flashers, raise your hood,
and tie something white or orange on the antenna or left door handle.
C. DESERT DRIVING
Desert driving is generally done on reasonably good roads with gas, food, water, and accommo-
dations available at convenient intervals. Unless you go off-road, most roads will be paved or
gravel. Except during the summer, deserts get hot, with daily temperatures in the 100 degrees
Fahrenheit range and low to zero humidity. Some tips to use when driving in the desert:
If you are not used to high temperatures, do not drive through the desert in the sum-
mer. If you must drive through the desert in the summer, stay on the freeways and use
a vehicle with air conditioning.
Always carry enough water for you and your passengers to survive in the desert if your
vehicle breaks down.
Carry water for your vehicle’s radiator. The vehicle’s cooling system can be affected,
so watch the radiator temperature and coolant levels.
If your vehicle breaks down in the desert, stay with it. Do not wander away from the
vehicle unless it is to get help from a visible call box on the road or an inhabited build-
ing within a few minutes’ walk.
When off the freeways or major highways, ensure you have enough gas and water.
You can never have enough water and gas while driving in the desert.
Do not take side roads off the freeway or highway unless you know where they go.
D. FATIGUE
When you are physically or mentally tired, that is called fatigue. It can be caused by physical or
mental strain, illness, or lack of sleep. Fatigue can make you see less clearly. Fatigue can also
make your mind and body slow down. When your mind and body slow down, you cannot do
things as quickly. You may not stop as fast as you need to if a car suddenly stops in front of you.
Do not drive if you are tired. You do not want to fall asleep while you are driving.
ගඉඓඑඖඏ ඉ කඉඌ ගකඑ
Before you take a trip, do the following:
Get enough sleep—most people need 7 to 9 hours to stay awake during the day.
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Plan to stop every two (2) hours during long trips to take a break from driving.
Have another person go with you to watch your driving.
Check the labels on your medicine; some will make you sleepy.
Do not drink alcohol and drive.
Do not take other drugs when you drive.
Ways to avoid fatigue:
If you start to feel tired, stop driving, pull off at an exit or rest area and take a 20-minute
power nap, or find a place to sleep for the night.
Do not drive late at night.
Driving is hard mental work; you will have a much better trip if you are rested and
ready.
Warning signs of drowsiness:
Can’t remember the last few miles driven.
Hit a rumble strip or drift from your lane.
Keep pulling the vehicle back into the lane.
Thoughts are wandering and disconnected.
Yawn repeatedly.
Have difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open and your head up.
Tailgate or miss traffic signs.
Narrowly missed crashing.
E. FLOODING
Flooding can occur when streams and rivers flow over their banks, dams or levees break, runoff
from deep snow, or heavy rainfall. Floodwaters can be found on roads, bridges, and low areas.
Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly. They can occur within a few minutes or hours
of excessive rainfall.
Do not drive through flooded areas:
If you see a flooded roadway ahead, turn around and find another route to get to your
destination.
Be cautious, especially at night, when visibility is limited.
Six (6) inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of
control or possible stalling.
Two (2) feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehi-
cles and pick-up trucks.
If the water appears shallow enough to cross, do not attempt to cross a flooded road-
way. Water can hide dips, or worse, floodwaters can damage roadways by washing
58
away the underlying road surface.
If there is no other route, proceed to higher ground and wait for the waters to subside.
F. HANDHELD WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE (HWC)
A person may not use an HWC device while operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway in
this state to manually write, send, or read a written communication, including: a text message, in-
stant messenger, electronic email, dial a phone number, access the internet, view or record a vid-
eo, take a photograph, or enter data into a wireless communication device.
Utah law allows drivers over 18 years of age to talk on an HWC device while driving as long as
voice commands are used to connect to a call. When using hands-free and voice-activated tech-
nology, the law allows using GPS functions, reporting safety hazards, criminal activity, and medi-
cal emergencies.
Drivers under the age of 18 may only use an HWC device while operating a motor vehicle during
a medical emergency, reporting a safety hazard, reporting criminal activity, or communicating with
a parent or legal guardian.
A person convicted of a texting violation is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor with a maximum fine
of $100 or a Class B misdemeanor if they inflict bodily injury or have a previous violation for this
offense. Officers may pull a driver over if they observe a driver texting, etc.
G. HIGHWAY WORK ZONES
Highway work zones are those portions of a street or highway where construc-
tion, maintenance, or utility work is being done to the road, its shoulders, or
any other items related to the roadway. This includes under-
ground and overhead utility work, tree trimming, and survey-
ing activities. Highway work zones are easily recognized by
the presence of orange signs and other orange traffic control
devices, flashing lights on equipment, and workers dressed in
highly visible clothing.
Each year, nearly a thousand people are killed, and thousands are injured as a result of crashes
in highway work zones. Some of these are highway workers, flaggers, or law enforcement offi-
cials. However, over 80% of the fatalities and injuries are suffered by drivers, passengers, and
pedestrians. Many of these work zone crashes are preventable.
Highway workers are trained to set up safe work zones with directional traffic
signs and devices. Motorists and pedestrians are responsible for knowing how to
read and react to these directions. Paying attention and driving cautiously and
courteously are the most critical steps in preventing crashes while driving through
highway work zones.
Work zones may involve lane closings, detours, and heavy equipment moving on
or near the road. Watch out for signs, cones, barrels, large vehicles, and workers in work zones.
Work zone signs have an orange background and black letters or symbols. Always slow down
even if there are no workers. Narrow lanes and rough pavement can be dangerous.
59
The courts are required to fine a driver who speeds in a highway construction zone at least twice
the amount of the regular fine for speeding.
Slow down in a work zone, increase your following distance, and be prepared to stop. Be careful
when driving through a work zone at night, even if no workers are there. Stay well away from
workers and construction vehicles. Obey the posted work zone signs until you see “end road
work.” Expect delays, plan to leave early, and finish your trip on time. If possible, use a different
route to avoid work zones.
H. LIGHTNING
Only a hard-topped vehicle will protect you in a lightning storm. Make sure all doors are closed
and windows are up. Do not touch any metal surfaces. Do not use radios connected to an exter-
nal antenna mounted on the vehicle. Otherwise, the safest place during a thunderstorm is inside
a well-constructed building with plumbing and electric wiring.
I. MOUNTAIN DRIVING
Mountain driving can be very different from normal driving conditions. Some hazards you should
be aware of are steep hills, wildlife, rocks in the roadway, and changing weather conditions.
Gravity plays a significant role in mountain driving because it slows your vehicle down on an up-
grade. You need to use lower gears to drive up hills and steep mountains. When coming down
steep hills or mountains, gravity causes the speed of your vehicle to increase. Therefore, you
must select a safe speed, use proper braking techniques, and use a low gear.
You should try to plan and obtain information about any long steep grades along your planned
travel route. If possible, speak to other drivers familiar with the grades to determine safe speeds.
Here are some more tips to use when driving up hills or mountains:
If your vehicle experiences difficulty traveling up steep roadways, pull off the road at a
safe place or stay in the right lane to allow other vehicles to pass.
Pay special attention to speed limit signs and warning signs, such as warnings about
curves, steep hills, or other hazards.
If a speed limit is posted or a sign indicates maximum safe speed, never exceed the
speed shown.
You must yield to vehicles going uphill if traveling downhill on a narrow road.
Do not coast downhill by shifting into neutral or disengaging the clutch.
Stay close to the right edge of the road to avoid oncoming traffic.
Sound the horn when approaching any sharp curve on a narrow road where the view is
obstructed.
J. NIGHT DRIVING
Driving at night is more complex and dangerous than driving in daylight. The
distance you can see is limited:
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Ensure the headlights and taillights of the vehicle are illuminated.
If your vehicle is being operated on a highway at any time from sunset to sunrise, or
when persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of
1,000 feet ahead due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions.
If your vehicle’s high beam lights are on and a car is coming toward you, dim your lights
before you get within 500 feet of the oncoming car.
Dim your high beams for oncoming traffic. If an oncoming vehicle does not dim, look at
the right side of the road. This helps avoid being blinded by the headlights.
If you are following a car, dim your lights when you are within 300 feet of the vehicle
ahead of you.
Use your lights any time conditions keep you from seeing 1,000 feet ahead.
Avoid looking directly into headlights.
Keep your eyes searching the road in front of your vehicle and look for dark shapes on
the roadway. Glance to the right and left to check for the edge of the pavement and
hazards on the sides.
Do not wear sunglasses or colored lenses at night. Tinted or colored lenses reduce the
light you need for good vision.
Increase your following distance at night by at least two (2) seconds.
The law requires that you drive at a reasonable and prudent speed. That means, espe-
cially at night, if you drive the posted speed limit, it may be too fast.
K. RURAL ROADS
Driving on rural roads can be dangerous. Stay alert, watch for warning signs, and obey the
speed limit. Some problems and driving hazards are unique to rural roads.
ඏකඉඞඍඔ ක ඌඑකග—there is less traction on gravel or dirt roads. Slow down and increase your fol-
lowing distance. You may skid when stopping your vehicle.
ඖඉකකඟ කඉඌඛ—rural roads are narrower and may have ditches or drop-offs instead of shoul-
ders. Slow down and center your vehicle in your lane. Look out for oncoming traffic that may be
in your lane.
ඖඉකකඟ ඊකඑඌඏඍඛ ඉඖඌ ඛඑඖඏඔඍ-ඔඉඖඍ ඊකඑඌඏඍඛ—the first driver to the bridge has the right-of-way.
Take turns crossing the bridge.
ඍඖ ඊකඑඌඏඍ ඏකඉගඑඖඏඛ ක ඛගඍඍඔ ඊකඑඌඏඍඛ—reduce your speed, increase your following dis-
tance, and keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.
ඔඑඕඑගඍඌ ඞඑඍඟ—wooded areas, crops growing in fields, and steep hills can block your view. In
these areas, slow down and be ready to stop.
ඝඖඋඖගකඔඔඍඌ එඖගඍකඛඍඋගඑඖඛ—these intersections can be very dangerous. Approach them
with caution. Slow down and be ready to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.
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L. SKIDDING
Most of us think of ice and snow when we think of skidding. Remem-
ber that skidding can also happen on wet roads. Your car may start
to hydroplane at speeds over 35 mph. Hydroplaning occurs when
your front tires ride on water instead of the road. As you go faster,
the problem worsens, and you will lose control of your steering.
In Utah, we also have a particular problem with black ice. Black ice is difficult to see on the road-
way and appears more like a wet spot than a patch of ice.
Unfortunately, many crashes occur each year from skids caused by black ice.
The best policy is to keep a skid from happening:
Slow down to a speed at which you can control the car.
If you do skid, slowly take your foot off the gas pedal.
If your rear wheels skid to the right, turn your front wheels to the right.
If the rear wheels skid to the left, turn left.
Do not steer too far, though, as that will make the car skid in the other direction.
Do not slam on your brakes.
Once your car regains traction, straighten out your wheels.
M. TRIP PLANNING
To prepare a vehicle for any trip, check the important mechanical components such as wind-
shields and windows, lights, tires, all fluid levels, belts, hoses, and brakes. Get a good night’s
sleep the night before the start of the trip.
Before going on a trip, consider the time of day to avoid congestion in city areas. Have a plan for
the route, including the route number and entrance and exit numbers of the final destination.
Consider rest stops, fuel stops, food stops, and potential construction areas.
N. VEHICLE SUBMERGED UNDERWATER
If you are in a crash and your vehicle enters a pond, lake, river, or other body of water, you
should remain calm and assess the situation:
If your vehicle enters water, it will only float on the surface for 30 to 60 seconds so im-
mediately attempt to get out of the vehicle.
First, remove your safety belt.
Lower the window, and climb onto the vehicle’s top.
Before trying to swim away, assess the current of the water.
If the vehicle is sinking quickly and you cannot open the door or window, you will have to wait for
the pressure to equalize:
Take off heavy clothing that will cause you to sink, but keep your shoes on in case you
have to kick the window to escape.