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Senate approves trial high-speed zone and traffic changes in HB406
Summary
House Bill 406 authorized a trial zone allowing speed limits above 75 mph on a specified stretch and clarified passing rules; Senate passed the bill 19–9. Debate centered on safety data, enforcement, and potential speed creep.
The Utah Senate on March 5 passed House Bill 406, a traffic-code amendment that (1) clarifies an operator exempt from minimum speed regulations is still required to promptly pass an overtaken vehicle, and (2) authorizes the Utah Department of Transportation to create a trial speed zone on a specified segment where limits could exceed 75 miles per hour.
Sponsor Senator Jenkins described the measure as a data-driven, limited trial between specific mile markers, with the DOT required to evaluate safety impacts and report back to an interim committee. Jenkins said the policy change is intended to let DOT study the effects of raising limits where motorists already travel faster than posted speeds: “People travel at a speed they feel safe at,” he said.
Opponents urged caution. Senator Griner told colleagues that “75 is a reasonable and prudent speed” and warned of speed-related fatalities; other senators worried about speed creep and enforcement across mixed-ability drivers.
Outcome: After extended debate, roll-call recorded 19 yes votes, 9 nay votes, 1 absent; the bill passed and will return to the House for its signature and DOT evaluation of the pilot’s safety impact.
Context and next steps: The bill sets a time-limited experiment and directs DOT to report results to the Legislature, allowing the Legislature to consider whether the expanded speed authority should remain or be rescinded.
