Utah is home to many attractions and interesting sites, so it’s no wonder that its driving laws aren’t the first thing you seek to learn about Utah. But if you’re driving there, it’s crucial to know the rules of the road in Utah. That knowledge can keep you safe.
Of course, other drivers may not obey those laws, and they could injure someone due to their negligence. But the laws that they’re choosing to ignore could end up being the ones that hold them liable for the accident and put them on the hook for personal injury compensation.
Specific Rules in Utah
The following rules are some particularly important driving laws in Utah.
Seat belts: Every vehicle occupant has to be wearing a seat belt according to Utah’s driving laws. Children seven and below who are under 57” tall have to be in a child restraint seat or booster seat.
Drunk driving: In June 2017, Utah lowered the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers. In Utah, drivers who are operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.05 or more are considered to be driving under the influence. This strict law is coupled by a firm punishment-- all DUI convictions require the offender to install an ignition interlock device in his or her vehicle. You should adhere to all of Utah’s driving laws, but take special care to obey to the DUI laws.
Open container laws: Simply put, open containers of alcohol aren’t allowed in the passenger area of the car when driving through Utah. Those containers could be stored in the trunk for the duration of the trip.
Distracted driving: Any activity that takes your mind off of the road is considered distracted driving. Texting while driving is a notable example of distracted driving, and it’s banned in Utah. Additionally, novice drivers and bus drivers aren’t allowed to use any type of handheld device while operating an automobile.
Distracted Driving and Your Utah Auto Accident
Texting while driving can ruin your life, even if you’re not the one who is doing it. Unfortunately, a distracted driver can cause an enormous amount of pain by injuring someone, and it could result in a life-altering injury.
If that sounds like your experience, then you should talk to a personal injury attorney, in part because the fault system in Utah can get complicated. This is because Utah is a no-fault state, which means that the injured driver would file with their own insurance company.
However, that isn’t the case if your medical bills exceed a certain amount, and a PI attorney could help you navigate your next steps in that particular case.
Hiring a Personal injury Lawyer
Having a personal injury attorney will ensure that your case gets the attention that it deserves. It’s tough to put a case together even under the best of circumstances, and recovering after a bad car accident is decidedly not the best of circumstances.
Leave it to an experienced personal injury attorney so you can focus on your recovery, which is by far the most important thing.
