Utah May Raise Speed Limit To 80 MPH On More Freeway Stretches
Travelers may be able to reach Utah
destinations more quickly under legislation being recommended by
the State Legislature's Transportation Interim Committee. Tests of an
80 mph speed limit on sections of I-15 have not revealed any major
problems and so the committee has voted to support expanding the
program into other areas.
This
Deseret News article has details. Below are excerpts.
"But many
people, most people actually, are already traveling 80," (Rep.
Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville) said. "So we're simply making
legal what the majority of people do."
He ruled out ever
calling for a statewide speed limit of 80 mph, citing the need for
slower speed limits along freeway stretches that are mountainous or
curvy, as well as those that have a history of accidents.
UDOT deputy
director Carlos Braceras cited the results of three years of data
collection that found driver speed climbed from an average of 83 mph
to 85 mph without any speed-related fatalities.
The department's
data also shows that the number of nonfatal crashes has dropped along
the two sections of I-15 where a permanent speed limit of 80 mph is
recommended.
The Utah Department of Transportation
may make the 80 mph speed limit permanent on sections of I-15 between
Mills Junction and Scipio, and between Fillmore and Cove Fort. The
department will continue to study the impact of the higher limit on
two other sections of freeway.
The article says a bill is being
drafted for the next legislature to test the 80 mph limit on portions
of I-15 to Wendover, on additional sections of I-15 and on portions
of I-84 and I-80.
The reference concerning I-15 and
Wendover is obviously a typo.
I-80 crosses the Salt
Flats to Wendover but I-15 does not.
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