REPORT: Utah DoT admits higher speed limits has worked out to less speeding
10-27-09, 03:43 PM
#1
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REPORT: Utah DoT admits higher speed limits has worked out to less speeding
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/r...ked-out-to-le/
When the Utah DOT raised the speed limit on two pieces of I-15 from 75 mph to 80 mph, it discovered that driving habits didn't change. When the limit was 75 mph, the Utah DoT found that drivers were going between 81 and 85 mph. And now that the maximum limit is 80 mph, it has found that drivers are going between 83 and 85 mph.
You can look at that as less speeding, as the UDoT has, or simply the fact that people didn't automatically start going 10 mph over the limit, having found a speed that satisfies 85% of them. This shouldn't be that surprising – even when Montana had stretches of highway with unlimited speeds, it was only a few folks, mostly out-of-staters, that raced at max velocity. And most folks on unlimited sections of the Autobahn aren't even going 150 mph.
According to the Deseret News, a UDoT official said that accidents haven't increased, either, nor did they expect an increase in fender benders. What he said has increased, though, is speed differential, which we don't quite understand. Apparently, the difference between the fastest and slowest vehicles has widened. We can only imagine he was speaking of the 2 mph difference between the slightly higher lower average speed of 83 mph vs the 81 mph from before. Even though one Utah legislator wasn't happy about the increased limit, saying speed kills, the proof appears to be... well, not necessarily.
When the Utah DOT raised the speed limit on two pieces of I-15 from 75 mph to 80 mph, it discovered that driving habits didn't change. When the limit was 75 mph, the Utah DoT found that drivers were going between 81 and 85 mph. And now that the maximum limit is 80 mph, it has found that drivers are going between 83 and 85 mph.
You can look at that as less speeding, as the UDoT has, or simply the fact that people didn't automatically start going 10 mph over the limit, having found a speed that satisfies 85% of them. This shouldn't be that surprising – even when Montana had stretches of highway with unlimited speeds, it was only a few folks, mostly out-of-staters, that raced at max velocity. And most folks on unlimited sections of the Autobahn aren't even going 150 mph.
According to the Deseret News, a UDoT official said that accidents haven't increased, either, nor did they expect an increase in fender benders. What he said has increased, though, is speed differential, which we don't quite understand. Apparently, the difference between the fastest and slowest vehicles has widened. We can only imagine he was speaking of the 2 mph difference between the slightly higher lower average speed of 83 mph vs the 81 mph from before. Even though one Utah legislator wasn't happy about the increased limit, saying speed kills, the proof appears to be... well, not necessarily.
10-27-09, 04:13 PM
#2
I wouldn't surprised if California went the other way on this went going with a lowered speed limit to they could give more tickets and thus finding another way to make some money... haha
Glad this seemed to "work" in Utah though! Not being familiar with the area though, how much traffic does I-15 get? Is it similar to I-5?
Glad this seemed to "work" in Utah though! Not being familiar with the area though, how much traffic does I-15 get? Is it similar to I-5?
10-27-09, 04:19 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Utah, however, is a state with generally dry climate, especially at lower elevations, so wet/slippery roads are not often an issue.
nor did they expect an increase in fender benders.
I guess not. You don't have "fender-benders" at 75-80 MPH. 
10-27-09, 04:45 PM
#4
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^^Never heard of the Wasatch mountains or Park City? OK...I guess Utah is "generally dry" but wet/slippery roads are common there in the mountains. I don't know if you've driven I-15 or I-80 through Utah, but I have a number of times and I definitely wouldn't make this comment about Utah roads.
10-27-09, 04:49 PM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Even with high-quality rain/snow tires like the Rain-X or Blizzak, depending on the water depth and tire condition, hydroplaning can start as low as 55-60 MPH....even less in some cases. 75-80 just doesn't cut it.
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-27-09 at 04:56 PM.
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10-27-09, 05:32 PM
#8
Tech Info Resource
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If you did not notice it, I mentioned, in my post, that the dry climate was mostly in the lower elevations.
Even with high-quality rain/snow tires like the Rain-X or Blizzak, depending on the water depth and tire condition, hydroplaning can start as low as 55-60 MPH....even less in some cases. 75-80 just doesn't cut it.
Even with high-quality rain/snow tires like the Rain-X or Blizzak, depending on the water depth and tire condition, hydroplaning can start as low as 55-60 MPH....even less in some cases. 75-80 just doesn't cut it.
Originally Posted by George Carlin
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”
10-27-09, 06:34 PM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
I usually cruise at 15 mph over the limit. So when I am in the desert I am cruising at 85-90 mph and all is well. When I am in the city I do chill it out a bit
10-27-09, 06:53 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
I partially agree, but, no matter the level of training one has, it can't overrule the laws of physics. Traffic enginners, don't forget, often set speed limits based on what they have determine is safe for that stretch of roadway, though I do agree with you that there are indeed stretches of road that can safely handle a higher limit.......I've seen a number of them myself.
LOL 
No, I don't quite think that way. Lots of people drive slower than me, and lots drive faster. I don't really get excited about it either way. I get more nervous around people who do really distracting things things like texting/cell-phone use, etc....while driving.
No, not so. I'm not Grandma. I sometimes do over the posted limit...but within reason. I'm not a classic speeder.
Also, here in the D.C. area, in D.C. and the MD suburbs, you have speed cameras as well as red-light cameras (the VA suburbs have some red-light camers, but not for speed). The speed camera usually don't zap you unless you are doing 10-11 MPH over.....they have a built-in margin. I am especially careful around the speed cameras......I know where many of them are.
And, don't forget, I also review new cars. While I don't go to extremes in accleration/braking/handling, or tear the cars up, you obviously can't get an accurate review driving like Grandma.
Mike, for some reason I always think of George Carlin when I see your posts on the speed people drive:
Originally Posted by George Carlin
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”
No, I don't quite think that way. Lots of people drive slower than me, and lots drive faster. I don't really get excited about it either way. I get more nervous around people who do really distracting things things like texting/cell-phone use, etc....while driving.
And I know you're driving the speed limit or slightly below.
Also, here in the D.C. area, in D.C. and the MD suburbs, you have speed cameras as well as red-light cameras (the VA suburbs have some red-light camers, but not for speed). The speed camera usually don't zap you unless you are doing 10-11 MPH over.....they have a built-in margin. I am especially careful around the speed cameras......I know where many of them are.
And, don't forget, I also review new cars. While I don't go to extremes in accleration/braking/handling, or tear the cars up, you obviously can't get an accurate review driving like Grandma.
Last edited by mmarshall; 10-27-09 at 06:56 PM.
10-27-09, 07:07 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
The trend in Europe, BTW, not just in Germany, but in France, too, is towards lower limits. Even on the Autobahn, the sections of roadway with unregulated speed are steadily shrinking.
10-27-09, 07:09 PM
#13
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The frequency at which accidents such as these happen are not very frequent, having lived in France and Germany, and experienced the Autobahn first hand.
10-27-09, 07:21 PM
#14
Gotta say I agree here, bump those limits up. You want a national limit, put a limiter in the car that doesn't let it go above 80. Done deal, make highway speeds 75mph. People want to go that fast that's fine, they want to go 80, heck that's fine. They get caught going over? Uh oh, TICKET. Cars of today are not like cars of yesteryear. Todays vehicles are designed to be able to excel at over 100mph, granted your car is in proper condition with good tires.
Plus Mike, I'm going to have to disagree with you on the point of safe limits by engineers. There are plenty of roadways here where 65 is just pathetic. I go 65-68 for gas mileage purposes, but everyone flies by me at 70-80+ and they are holding the road just fine, no swerving, nothing of the sort. Wet and Ice weather dictate common sense, if you are stupid enough to speed and act the fool in those conditions, you're asking for an accident, whether going 80 or 65.
Plus Mike, I'm going to have to disagree with you on the point of safe limits by engineers. There are plenty of roadways here where 65 is just pathetic. I go 65-68 for gas mileage purposes, but everyone flies by me at 70-80+ and they are holding the road just fine, no swerving, nothing of the sort. Wet and Ice weather dictate common sense, if you are stupid enough to speed and act the fool in those conditions, you're asking for an accident, whether going 80 or 65.