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UTAH COUNTY -- If you've noticed more Utah Highway Patrol troopers along Interstate 15 in Utah County, you're not imagining things. In fact, troopers are specifically targeting speeders in the I-15 CORE construction zone.
The UHP has dealt with several serious accidents lately, including some that were fatal. The cause of the majority of them was speeding and now troopers are cracking down along the I-15 CORE construction area.
The construction company has actually put up money for the UHP to conduct overtime enforcement shifts through the I-15 CORE project, all in an effort to make it safer for workers.
It never takes long for UHP trooper Emery Calkins to find drivers speeding on I-15 in Utah County. Last week he clocked someone going 82 right in the middle of the construction zone.
Even though there are signs up and down the 24-mile reconstruction project, showing the speed limit is 55, troopers admit few are keeping it.
"Not very many people are going 55," Calkins said. "Most people are going 65 to 75 on average through the construction zone."
Because it's in a construction zone the fine for those caught speeding is doubled, and drivers can't claim they didn't see any construction.
Troopers say if you are pulled over to slow down, turn on your hazard lights, move to the right lane and wait until you reach the next exit to safely pull over.
"You can't really use that excuse anymore. There's no doubt it's a construction zone," Calkins said.
The narrow lanes, lane shifts and cement barriers make it not only more dangerous for drivers, but construction workers are often in harm's way.
"With workers right there on the freeway, there are some places where there's not even a barrier wall to protect them," Calkins said. "So if we go slow enough, it will help keep them safe because they're on the road trying to get it done for us."
Troopers will give some drivers a break as they educate them about making the freeway safer for everyone.
"Hopefully this is enough to get you to slow down and increase your following distance, to do your part to keep us safe out here," Calkins said. "Especially in a construction zone, it's pretty dangerous."
Troopers say if you are pulled over to slow down, turn on your hazard lights, move to the right lane and wait until you reach the next exit to safely pull over.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
