UDOT: Too many drivers misusing express lanes

UDOT: Too many drivers misusing express lanes

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Transportation says too many drivers are misusing the express lanes on I-15.

The percentage of drivers inappropriately using the high occupancy vehicle lanes, meant primarily for vehicles with at least two people in them, has climbed slightly over the past two years after falling in 2013, according to UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras.

UDOT data from spring 2014 indicated that 19 percent of drivers using the carpool lanes were in violation of state law, he explained, up from 17 percent in 2012. Ironically, violations had declined significantly in April 2013 to just 12 percent before increasing again this year.

Braceras made his comments Wednesday to members of the Transportation Interim Committee at the state Capitol. He said the agency is working to correct the problem by educating the driving public on the intended use of the HOV/express lanes.


We are trying to keep the speeds as close to the speed limit as possible (in the express lanes). Generally the express lanes operate at 3 to 9 miles per hour faster than the general purpose lanes.

–UDOT Executive Director Carlos Braceras


Currently, the Utah interstate highway system is composed of 62 miles of roadway with the 10-mile I-15 South Davis Project scheduled to be completed in spring of 2015.

While most of the roads are being used with relative efficiency and safety, Braceras said congestion during peak driving times has caused some signficant slowing on some major stretches of the interstate.

"We are trying to keep the speeds as close to the speed limit as possible (in the express lanes)," he told the committee. "Generally the express lanes operate at 3 to 9 miles per hour faster than the general purpose lanes."

However, there is also the concern of falling below the federally mandated 45 mph minimum allowable speed level for operation of express lanes, he said. Currently, Utah is at 45.5 mph, he noted. For that reason, highway safety officials will focus on enforcement of those minimum standards in the months to come, Braceras said.

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