H.B. 83

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 where the Department of Transportation may
16 establish a posted speed limit that exceeds 75 miles per hour; and
17 . makes technical changes.
18 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 AMENDS:
24 41-6a-602, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 350
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 shall determine the reasonable and safe speed
30 limit for each highway or section of highway under its jurisdiction.
31 (b) For each highway or section of highway, each speed limit shall be based on a traffic
32 engineering and safety study consistent with the requirements and recommendations in the
33 most current version of the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices."
34 (c) The traffic engineering and safety studies shall include:
35 (i) the design speed;
36 (ii) prevailing vehicle speeds;
37 (iii) accident history;
38 (iv) highway, traffic, and roadside conditions; and
39 (v) other highway safety factors.
40 (2) In addition to the provisions of Subsection (1), the Department of Transportation
41 may establish different speed limits on a highway or section of highway based on:
42 (a) time of day;
43 (b) highway construction;
44 (c) type of vehicle;
45 (d) weather conditions; and
46 (e) other highway safety factors.
47 (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b) and (c), a posted speed limit may not
48 exceed 65 miles per hour.
49 (b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), a posted speed limit on a freeway or other
50 limited access highway may not exceed 75 miles per hour.
51 (c) (i) The [department] Department of Transportation may establish a posted speed
52 limit on a freeway or other limited access highway that exceeds the maximum speed limit in
53 Subsection (3)(b) if the speed limit is[: (A)] based on a highway traffic engineering and safety
54 study[; and (B) is] and located on:
55 (A) a portion of Interstate 15 that is between milepost [222] 244 and milepost [64.] 24
56 or between milepost 366 and the Utah-Idaho state line; or
57 (B) a portion of Interstate 80 that is between milepost 99 and the Utah-Nevada state
58 line.

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




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-23-13 3:19 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

[Bill Documents]