H.B. 80 Enrolled

1

SPEED LIMIT AMENDMENTS
2 2014 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: James A. Dunnigan
5 Senate Sponsor: Scott K. Jenkins
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies the Traffic Code by amending provisions relating to establishing
10 speed limits on certain highways.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . provides that the Department of Transportation may establish a posted speed limit
14 on a freeway or other limited access highway that exceeds the maximum speed limit
15 if the speed limit is based on a highway traffic engineering and safety study; and
16 . makes technical changes.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 41-6a-602 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 268
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 41-6a-602 is amended to read:
27 41-6a-602. Speed limits established on state highways.
28 (1) (a) The Department of Transportation shall determine the reasonable and safe speed
29 limit for each highway or section of highway under its jurisdiction.

30 (b) For each highway or section of highway, each speed limit shall be based on a traffic
31 engineering and safety study consistent with the requirements and recommendations in the
32 most current version of the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices."
33 (c) The traffic engineering and safety studies shall include:
34 (i) the design speed;
35 (ii) prevailing vehicle speeds;
36 (iii) accident history;
37 (iv) highway, traffic, and roadside conditions; and
38 (v) other highway safety factors.
39 (2) In addition to the provisions of Subsection (1), the Department of Transportation
40 may establish different speed limits on a highway or section of highway based on:
41 (a) time of day;
42 (b) highway construction;
43 (c) type of vehicle;
44 (d) weather conditions; and
45 (e) other highway safety factors.
46 (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b) and (c), a posted speed limit may not
47 exceed 65 miles per hour.
48 (b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), a posted speed limit on a freeway or other
49 limited access highway may not exceed 75 miles per hour.
50 (c) (i) The Department of Transportation may establish a posted speed limit on a
51 freeway or other limited access highway that exceeds the maximum speed limit in Subsection
52 (3)(b) if the speed limit is based on a highway traffic engineering and safety study [and located
53 on:].
54 [(A) a portion of Interstate 15 that is between milepost 244 and milepost 24 or between
55 milepost 366 and the Utah-Idaho state line;]
56 [(B) a portion of Interstate 80 that is between milepost 99 and the Utah-Nevada state
57 line; or]

58 [(C) a portion of Interstate 84 that is between the Tremonton Interchange and the
59 Utah-Idaho state line.]
60 (ii) If the Department of Transportation establishes a posted speed limit that exceeds
61 the limit under Subsection (3)(b), the Department of Transportation shall evaluate the results
62 and impacts of increasing a speed limit under this Subsection (3)(c).
63 (iii) The Department of Transportation shall report the findings of an evaluation
64 conducted under Subsection (3)(c)(ii) to the Transportation Interim Committee no later than
65 one year after a speed limit has been imposed under this Subsection (3)(c).
66 (d) This Subsection (3) is an exception to the provisions of Subsections (1) and (2).
67 (4) When establishing or changing a speed limit, the Department of Transportation
68 shall consult with the following entities prior to erecting or changing a speed limit sign:
69 (a) the county for state highways in an unincorporated area of the county;
70 (b) the municipality for state highways within the municipality's incorporated area;
71 (c) the Department of Public Safety; and
72 (d) the Transportation Commission.
73 (5) The speed limit is effective when appropriate signs giving notice are erected along
74 the highway or section of the highway.