H.B. 83 Enrolled

1

SPEED LIMIT AMENDMENTS
2 2013 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 state highways.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . expands the portion of Interstate 15 where the Department of Transportation may
14 establish a posted speed limit that exceeds 75 miles per hour;
15 . adds a portion of Interstate 80 and Interstate 84 where the Department of
16 Transportation may establish a posted speed limit that exceeds 75 miles per hour;
17 and
18 . makes technical changes.
19 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
20 None
21 Other Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Utah Code Sections Affected:
24 AMENDS:
25 41-6a-602, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 350
26
27 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
28 Section 1. Section 41-6a-602 is amended to read:
29 41-6a-602. Speed limits established on state highways.

30 (1) (a) The Department of Transportation shall determine the reasonable and safe speed
31 limit for each highway or section of highway under its jurisdiction.
32 (b) For each highway or section of highway, each speed limit shall be based on a traffic
33 engineering and safety study consistent with the requirements and recommendations in the
34 most current version of the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices."
35 (c) The traffic engineering and safety studies shall include:
36 (i) the design speed;
37 (ii) prevailing vehicle speeds;
38 (iii) accident history;
39 (iv) highway, traffic, and roadside conditions; and
40 (v) other highway safety factors.
41 (2) In addition to the provisions of Subsection (1), the Department of Transportation
42 may establish different speed limits on a highway or section of highway based on:
43 (a) time of day;
44 (b) highway construction;
45 (c) type of vehicle;
46 (d) weather conditions; and
47 (e) other highway safety factors.
48 (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b) and (c), a posted speed limit may not
49 exceed 65 miles per hour.
50 (b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), a posted speed limit on a freeway or other
51 limited access highway may not exceed 75 miles per hour.
52 (c) (i) The [department] Department of Transportation may establish a posted speed
53 limit on a freeway or other limited access highway that exceeds the maximum speed limit in
54 Subsection (3)(b) if the speed limit is[: (A)] based on a highway traffic engineering and safety
55 study[; and (B) is] and located on:
56 (A) a portion of Interstate 15 that is between milepost [222] 244 and milepost [64.] 24
57 or between milepost 366 and the Utah-Idaho state line;

58 (B) a portion of Interstate 80 that is between milepost 99 and the Utah-Nevada state
59 line; or
60 (C) a portion of Interstate 84 that is between the Tremonton Interchange and the
61 Utah-Idaho state line.
62 [(ii) The department shall consider the roadway geometry and population density that
63 may be appropriate for a higher speed limit when establishing a speed limit under this
64 Subsection (3)(c).]
65 [(iii)] (ii) If the [department] Department of Transportation establishes a posted speed
66 limit that exceeds the limit under Subsection (3)(b), the [department] Department of
67 Transportation shall evaluate the results and impacts of increasing a speed limit under this
68 Subsection (3)(c).
69 [(iv)] (iii) The [department] Department of Transportation shall report the findings of
70 an evaluation conducted under Subsection [(3)(c)(iii)] (3)(c)(ii) to the Transportation Interim
71 Committee no later than one year after a speed limit has been imposed under this Subsection
72 (3)(c).
73 (d) This Subsection (3) is an exception to the provisions of Subsections (1) and (2).
74 (4) When establishing or changing a speed limit, the Department of Transportation
75 shall consult with the following entities prior to erecting or changing a speed limit sign:
76 (a) the county for state highways in an unincorporated area of the county;
77 (b) the municipality for state highways within the municipality's incorporated area;
78 (c) the Department of Public Safety; and
79 (d) the Transportation Commission.
80 (5) The speed limit is effective when appropriate signs giving notice are erected along
81 the highway or section of the highway.

[Bill Documents]