Utah tests more roads for higher mph
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Utah tests more roads for higher mph
There seems to be a trend is some states to push for higher speed limits. A recent study from Utah showed that the practice may really decrease accidents and deaths. Other studies differ.
Faster driving possibly less dangerous
The Utah DOT decided to test two stretched of highway in 2009 by changing the speed limit from 75 mph to 80 mph for a short period. There is not a lot of population near the area, and the road is pretty straight and even.
The tests paid off. It was found that crashes decreased by 11 percent and by 20 percent in the two test areas.
There was also a 20 percent reduction in the number of drivers speeding since the average speed of drivers only boosted slightly from 83 mph to 85 mph.
The speed limit was increased near Beaver and Parowan recently as part of the test. The areas will see permanent changes to 80 mph in 2014 if the test outcomes stay optimistic as they are now.
Utah rep. Jim Dunnigan (R) passed a bill in 2008 to begin the testing.
“When we initially presented this, there were concerns that if we raised the speed limit from 75 to 80 mph that people would really travel from 90 to 100 mph. That didn’t happen. The average speed only increased a couple miles an hour. … Most people are already traveling 80, so we are making legal what a majority of people are doing.”
The Utah DOT director Carlos Braceras said that the speed limit will become permanent in test areas and will hopefully increase in other areas, according to the Legislature’s Transportation Interim Committee.
The committee voted unanimously on September 19 to proceed with more testing.
Earlier this month, the speed limit on a 41-mile toll road in Texas was raised to the highest in the land: 85 mph. The road makes for the fastest trip ever from San Antonio to Austin, TX, by Honda or any other auto make.
Studies say different thing
USA today cited Russ Rader, a spokesman for the non-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in its coverage of the event. Rader’s statement contradicts the state-sponsored study in Utah. Rader said:
“The research is clear that when speed limits go up, fatalities go up.”
Another study was cited by USA Today. The 2009 American Journal of Public Health Study found that in the last ten years, there have been over 12,500 people killed in accidents related specifically to speed limit increases.
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