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Freeway speed limit may increase to 80 mph in Utah

Fox News 13 - Salt :Lake City -- A study by the Utah Department of Transportation suggests raising the freeway speed limit from 75 to 80 miles per hour may be a good thing — at least on some stretches of interstate.
When the speed limit went up on four stretches of road between Nephi and Cedar City, accidents went down by 20 percent, according to the three-year study by UDOT.
The findings were somewhat unexpected, but it appears drivers tend to comply to higher speed limits.
“Everyone naturally goes 75 to 80 miles an hour anyways. So it’s that comfortable speed limit as most people drive on the freeway,” said driver Kyle Taylor.
The House Transportation Committee discussed its findings Wednesday and showed interest in putting more 80 mile per hour zones throughout the state.
“This was designed to be a test.

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Submitted Sep 24, 2012 By: BurntOrange

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7SPEEDY7 Champion Author Flint Posts:1,276 Points:602,750 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 26, 2012 10:09:49 PM Ignore 7SPEEDY7 Report Abuse Nice!!
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,881 Points:769,345 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 10:28:46 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse you can't tell me that increasing the speed limit will decrease accidents
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,881 Points:769,345 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 10:28:21 PM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse figures lie and liars figure
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,800 Points:638,275 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 10:25:46 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse Works well for states where there's vast open land & plains.
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:6,748 Points:1,861,325 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 10:22:20 PM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse MEMBERS OF THE CHOIR & ORCHESTRA CAN GET TO TEMPLE SQUARE FASTER !
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:6,748 Points:1,861,325 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 10:17:23 PM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse GOOD PLAN !!!
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:8,929 Points:749,935 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 9:41:44 AM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse Traffic studies in Texas have shown no increase in traffic deaths at these speeds.
bicycle1966 All-Star Author Akron Posts:605 Points:400,240 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 4:51:37 AM Ignore bicycle1966 Report Abuse Many of the same people who are cheering for this are ironically also mad about the high price of gas. Somehow they don't see the connection between driving faster and using more gas. In MOST cars, the fuel economy starts dropping for every mph above 60. I'd guess with trucks and SUVs, it's probably worse because of their brick-like aerodynamics.
BBopp Champion Author Dayton Posts:6,824 Points:1,935,430 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2012 3:14:50 AM Ignore BBopp Report Abuse I believe this is a huge mistake. There is no need to go that fast.
RevDrCBJ Veteran Author Ann Arbor Posts:363 Points:187,010 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 11:40:35 PM Ignore RevDrCBJ Report Abuse Just because everyone's doing it doesn't mean it should be legalized. Aren't we facing an energy crisis? An by the way, does this pose a risk for more accidents maybe???
Bezalel Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:12,083 Points:2,287,020 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 11:27:35 PM Ignore Bezalel Report Abuse Won't this lower fuel economy and revenue from tickets?
skb69sa Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,467 Points:707,375 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 11:05:46 PM Ignore skb69sa Report Abuse Ok
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,062 Points:793,250 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 10:42:06 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse Zoom Zoom
danindenver Champion Author Denver Posts:5,472 Points:1,234,745 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 10:38:07 PM Ignore danindenver Report Abuse People are going to drive as fast as they feel safe. Other people are going to say, "You can't do that!" It's the price we pay for living in a free country. You have to stand up for your freedoms against every enemy.
DCbeachbum Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,642 Points:901,490 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 10:26:40 PM Ignore DCbeachbum Report Abuse Driving faster is NOT necessarily more dangerous.
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,453 Points:659,275 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 10:14:15 PM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Wide open spaces.
Quick68 Champion Author Columbus Posts:8,183 Points:1,222,875 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 10:12:59 PM Ignore Quick68 Report Abuse The government wants the people to use all the gas they can use. More money in their pockets. At least Nixon lowered the speed limit to save fuel. This shows you that their is no shortage in oil. We don't have to drill for any more. Our government is just playing games with the people.
NoGas714 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:733 Points:747,410 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 10:11:12 PM Ignore NoGas714 Report Abuse All the money the state will loose in speeding ticket revenue will be made up in fuel taxes by more gas getting burnt cause people are driving faster.
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,677 Points:535,120 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 10:00:50 PM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse Autobaun!
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,054 Points:1,624,200 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:59:56 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse Drag strip
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,244 Points:584,445 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:59:55 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Great post by bucboy24!!!!
NekoSJG Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,168 Points:974,600 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:59:19 PM Ignore NekoSJG Report Abuse Bye bye gas mileage...
datapro Sophomore Author Spokane Posts:180 Points:409,745 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:58:43 PM Ignore datapro Report Abuse Yes
bucboy24 Sophomore Author Tampa Posts:136 Points:174,980 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:56:53 PM Ignore bucboy24 Report Abuse I'm glad to see Utah experimenting with this. Clearly a well-maintained, straight, level, low-traffic roadway can be safer at even 100 mph than a road that is poorly maintained. And if almost everyone already speeds, why not lower the speed gap and allow everyone to go faster, not just the lawbreakers?
Matache Rookie Author Riverside Posts:54 Points:15,660 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:56:34 PM Ignore Matache Report Abuse great news !
catspaw Champion Author Toronto Posts:29,929 Points:3,149,735 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:53:34 PM Ignore catspaw Report Abuse Driving at slow speeds for long periods of time on interstates designed for higher speeds is so boring that it's easy for the mind to wander. Plus, you're on the road for longer periods of time so you get more tired. Higher speeds keep you focused and get you there faster so not as tired.
dcjauburn Champion Author Sacramento Posts:12,417 Points:2,236,665 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:51:36 PM Ignore dcjauburn Report Abuse First we need to train drivers to ONLY pass on the left and to stay to the right except to pass. Some people think that because they are going the speed limit that they own the left lane, WRONG.
1Boog Champion Author Lincoln Posts:5,961 Points:1,198,975 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:50:52 PM Ignore 1Boog Report Abuse there is nothing to see in Utah anyway....pedal to the floor!!!
guerrerouc Rookie Author Chicago Posts:12 Points:381,195 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:46:31 PM Ignore guerrerouc Report Abuse In Chicago the limit is 55 but it doesn't matter the most of the cars drive at 70 or more even the police officers with any emergency happen.
DCbeachbum Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,642 Points:901,490 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:45:48 PM Ignore DCbeachbum Report Abuse Driving at these speeds should make us all more alert. We will see if it really does.
spotterFL Champion Author Florida Posts:4,085 Points:519,040 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:45:16 PM Ignore spotterFL Report Abuse Why not 135mph.......the same as what I drive on the AutoBahn in Germany?
JCClark2012 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,389 Points:392,970 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:44:47 PM Ignore JCClark2012 Report Abuse Ok
fahadsami Sophomore Author Victoria Posts:205 Points:173,075 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:44:19 PM Ignore fahadsami Report Abuse ok
defiancegasman Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,075 Points:1,322,185 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:39:48 PM Ignore defiancegasman Report Abuse Most people do NOT realize that having a higher speed limit reduces congesting on them. A higher speed means you spend less time on the highway and that means less cars per mile.
BluWahoo Champion Author Pensacola Posts:3,092 Points:375,915 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:39:11 PM Ignore BluWahoo Report Abuse People drive 80 or faster now. Just a quicker way to get killed or cause a serious accident.
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,401 Points:419,875 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:36:12 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse WOW
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,210 Points:869,225 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:34:32 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse Good for them, a lot of highways that aren't congested should have higher speed limits.
wcp3rd All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:714 Points:358,375 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:32:59 PM Ignore wcp3rd Report Abuse ok
bginsj Champion Author San Jose Posts:1,853 Points:1,231,610 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:32:17 PM Ignore bginsj Report Abuse good for utah
brutherruther Veteran Author Fort Worth Posts:435 Points:237,540 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:30:34 PM Ignore brutherruther Report Abuse Ok
southrob Champion Author Tucson Posts:3,585 Points:685,150 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:29:04 PM Ignore southrob Report Abuse it gets people off the road quicker and people pay attention more at high speed
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,785 Points:815,310 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:28:40 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Interesting article...
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,907 Points:1,571,955 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:27:19 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse is anyone thinking out there?
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,835 Points:1,609,325 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:26:24 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse I had the misfortune of hitting the old Interstate thru downtown Birmingham at rush hour about 25 years ago. It was winding and had no acceleration zones for the on-off ramps and the bumper-to-bumper traffic was doing 80-85 mph. It was insane. Probably OK in the great outback. 120 mph (200 kliks) is fairly common on the Autobahns in Germany.
Darwin00 All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:827 Points:267,095 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:25:14 PM Ignore Darwin00 Report Abuse How much does it cost to change out all of the speed limit signs. The report may be true but some people will continue to exceed the speed limit by 5-10mph. How does this affect gas mileage? What speed are cars designed for to get the highest mileage?
mysub Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:8,891 Points:2,326,465 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:21:10 PM Ignore mysub Report Abuse So you can kill someone faster.
GigHarborHound Champion Author Tacoma Posts:2,517 Points:484,490 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:20:36 PM Ignore GigHarborHound Report Abuse OK!!!
Johnnyrebell12 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,333 Points:1,421,475 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:20:26 PM Ignore Johnnyrebell12 Report Abuse Really stupid if you ask me when they sre increasing the price of gas
Piggy1959 Sophomore Author Fort Worth Posts:166 Points:110,495 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:17:30 PM Ignore Piggy1959 Report Abuse Yes, mstearno, you are right (because I and my husband don't live there). Now imagine how fast they will drive with the new speed limit allowance!
Heltonw Champion Author Montana Posts:3,289 Points:1,655,365 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 9:17:26 PM Ignore Heltonw Report Abuse Too fast for safety.