Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 235 (2022GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Lund, S.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/15/2022

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• allows a county or municipality to establish a speed limit without completing a traffic engineering and safety study; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

SPEED LIMIT DESIGNATION AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Steven J. Lund
Senate Sponsor: 
 Derrin R. Owens
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill addresses the process by which a county or municipality establishes a speed
limit.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ allows a county or municipality to establish a speed limit without completing a
traffic engineering and safety study; and
▸ makes technical changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
41-6a-602
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 137
41-6a-603
, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
41-6a-602
 is amended to read:
41-6a-602.
Speed limits established on state highways.
(1) (a) The Department of Transportation shall determine the reasonable and safe speed
limit for each highway or section of highway under its jurisdiction.
(b) For each highway or section of highway, each speed limit shall be based on a traffic
engineering and safety study consistent with the requirements and recommendations in the
most current version of the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices."
(c) The traffic engineering and safety studies shall include:
(i) the design speed;
(ii) prevailing vehicle speeds;
(iii) accident history;
(iv) highway, traffic, and roadside conditions; and
(v) other highway safety factors.
(2) [
In addition to the provisions of Subsection (1), the
] 
The
 Department of
Transportation may establish different speed limits on a highway or section of highway based
on:
(a) time of day;
(b) highway construction;
(c) type of vehicle;
(d) weather conditions; and
(e) other highway safety factors.
(3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b) and (c), a posted speed limit may not
exceed 65 miles per hour.
(b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), a posted speed limit on a freeway or other
limited access highway may not exceed 75 miles per hour.
(c) (i) The Department of Transportation may establish a posted speed limit on a
freeway or other limited access highway that exceeds the maximum speed limit in Subsection
(3)(b) if the speed limit is based on a highway traffic engineering and safety study.
(ii) If the Department of Transportation establishes a posted speed limit that exceeds
the limit under Subsection (3)(b), the Department of Transportation shall evaluate the results
and impacts of increasing a speed limit under this Subsection (3)(c).
(d) This Subsection (3) is an exception to the provisions of Subsections (1) and (2).
(4) When establishing or changing a speed limit, the Department of Transportation
shall consult with the following entities prior to erecting or changing a speed limit sign:
(a) the county for state highways in an unincorporated area of the county;
(b) the municipality for state highways within the municipality's incorporated area;
(c) the Department of Public Safety; and
(d) the Transportation Commission.
(5) The speed limit is effective when appropriate signs giving notice are erected along
the highway or section of the highway.
Section 2. Section 
41-6a-603
 is amended to read:
41-6a-603.
Speed limits established by counties and municipalities.
(1) A county or municipality may determine the reasonable and safe speed limit for
each highway or section of highway under its jurisdiction as specified under Title 72, Chapter
3, Highway Jurisdiction and Classification Act.
(2) Each speed limit shall be established in accordance with the provisions of
Subsections 
41-6a-602
[
(1)
], (2), (3), and (5).