UDOT raises speed limit on more stretches of interstate


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SALT LAKE CITY — If you drive the interstates in Utah this holiday weekend, you'll notice another speed increase to 80 mph in one part of the state with more speed increases on the way.

Motorists are split on the faster speeds, while the Utah Department of Transportation believes the move should reduce the number of serious crashes.

In September 2013, UDOT raised the speed limit to 80 mph on most Utah rural interstates. Now, UDOT will raise the limit on the rest of those rural roadways. In December, UDOT raised the speed limit on the urban interstates from 65 to 70 mph.

James Rands was at a rest stop on I-84 Friday headed out of town for the holiday weekend, and he said he's ready to get there faster — legally.

"I'm really for it," he said. "It's going to help with the traffic, and if everybody pays attention to what they're doing, it will be fine."

Like other motorists, Rands said he was already traveling that fast.

"When you want to go up and play, you want to get there as fast as you can and sit and relax and enjoy yourself," he said.

UDOT's speed surveys showed the overall speeds on the interstates only increased one to two mph with the five mph adjustments to the limits.

"So, that's what we're trying to do here, set the speed limit to be reflective of the speeds that people are already driving," said UDOT spokesman John Gleason.


You increase the speed limit, you have more accidents.

–Derrick Adams, motorist


The new 80 mph signs are already up on I-80 from Echo to the Wyoming border. In the weeks ahead, UDOT will post the same signs with the 80 mph speed limit on most of I-70 from I-15 to the Colorado border, with the exception of a couple of winding sections through canyons. On I-84, the speed limit will rise from 65 to 70 mph at the mouth of Weber Canyon and from 70 to 75 mph once the canyon opens up.

"Our goal is to cut out some of the speed differentials that can cause some of the crashes that we see," said Gleason.

UDOT contends there are fewer crashes when motorists travel nearly the same speed with fewer cars driving excessively fast or very slowly.

"We want to provide a uniform flow of traffic," Gleason said. "If you have people who are traveling faster or slower than the vast majority that can cause speed differentials, and that causes crashes."

But, a couple of long-distance truckers think everyone is already driving too fast.

"You increase the speed limit, you have more accidents," said Derrick Adams, who was hauling a load to Texas.

Headed uphill, he slows way down. If other traffic flies by at 80, he said, that creates a real speed differential.

"These trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and you can't stop that on a dime," he said.

They're not convinced faster speed limits will lead to safer roads.

"I'd rather be safe than get there as soon as possible," said Keith Allen, another long-distance truck driver.

The UHP urges all motorists to follow the new speed limits closely because troopers will enforce them.

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Jed Boal

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