Utah Mulls Allowing 80-MPH Speed Limits in Some Areas

State transportation officials in Utah said Monday they will first conduct an analysis of speed-related crash data before deciding whether to increase the speed limit to 80-mph on three stretches of rural Interstates.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) late last month signed legislation giving the Utah Department of Transportation authority to raise the speed limit on portions of Interstate 15, I-80 and I-84.

“What we will be doing is first analyze the data associated with speed-related crashes in those, and seeing if the crash rates are above and beyond what would be expected,” said Robert Hull, director of traffic and safety for UDOT.