H.B. 199

1

SPEED RESTRICTIONS ON COMMERCIAL
2 VEHICLES
3 2007 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Sheryl L. Allen
6 Senate Sponsor: ____________
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill modifies the Motor Vehicles Code by amending provisions relating to speed
11 limits.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . provides that a posted speed limit on a freeway or other limited access highway may
15 not exceed 65 miles per hour for a vehicle with five or more axles operating at a
16 gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds; and
17 . makes technical changes.
18 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 AMENDS:
24 41-6a-602, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 2, Laws of Utah 2005
25
26 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27 Section 1. Section 41-6a-602 is amended to read:

28 41-6a-602. Speed limits established on state highways.
29 (1) (a) The Department of Transportation may determine the reasonable and safe speed
30 limit for each highway or section of highway under its jurisdiction.
31 (b) Each speed limit shall be based on traffic engineering and safety studies for each
32 highway or section of the highway.
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), a posted speed limit may not exceed 65
47 miles per hour.
48 (b) (i) [A] Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b)(ii), a posted speed limit on a
49 freeway or other limited access [highways] highway may not exceed 75 miles per hour.
50 (ii) A posted speed limit on a freeway or other limited access highway may not exceed
51 65 miles per hour for a vehicle with five or more axles operating at a gross vehicle weight of
52 more than 26,000 pounds.
53 (c) This Subsection (3) is an exception to the provisions of Subsections (1) and (2).
54 (4) When establishing or changing a speed limit, the Department of Transportation
55 shall consult with the following entities prior to erecting or changing a speed limit sign:
56 (a) the county for state highways in an unincorporated area of the county;
57 (b) the municipality for state highways within the municipality's incorporated area;
58 (c) the Department of Public Safety; and

59 (d) the Transportation Commission.
60 (5) The speed limit is effective when appropriate signs giving notice are erected along
61 the highway or section of the highway.




Legislative Review Note
as of 11-16-06 8:52 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel