By SARA UTLE
Speed limits were raised in several parts of the state Wednesday as the first step in a series of changes that will occur this month.
Road workers posted signs yesterday announcing new speed limits of 75 mph on westbound Interstate 80 just past 5600 West in Salt Lake County and on northbound Interstate 15 just past 12th Street in Ogden.
Workers will continue to post signs in the northern part of the state over the next few days, and hope to complete changes for the entire state by June 1, said Andrea Packer, a representative of the Utah Department of Transportation.
Packer said workers are focusing on the northern half of the state first since residents there were eager for changes. In the southern part of the state, changes will go into effect as soon as signs can be made.
According to information provided by UDOT, the changes will affect some sections of I-15 and I-80 as well as Interstate 84 and Interstate 70.
Packer said the changes followed a decision by Congress to repeal the federal speed limit last fall.
'These are the speeds drivers are going anyway,' she said. 'Studies show that 85 percent of drivers will drive at the speed they are comfortable with, regardless of the speed limit.'
Packer advised drivers to keep to the new speed limits.
'Highway Patrol had a lot of input into these changes and will be enforcing them as much as they are able,' she said.
Sgt. Jim Matthies, an administrative assistant with Utah Highway Patrol, said he is not sure drivers will keep to the new limits.
'We don't know what people will do, if they'll follow the new speed limit or think there is a 10 mph buffer,' Matthies said.
Matthies said only time will tell if the new speed limits lead to additional road accidents and fatalities.
'Speed doesn't cause accidents,' he said. 'However, when an accident happens, speed definitely determines how serious it is.'
Most accidents are the result of drugs, alcohol, distractions or drowsiness, Matthies said. However, he said, drivers traveling at higher speeds have less time to avoid an accident.
Matthies said although Utah's roads have been designed to handle these higher speeds, they are in need of repair.
Dave Lemmon, press secretary for Congressman Bill Orton (D-UT), said Orton favors state control of speed limits.
'It's a state issue, and state experts in Utah should decide for Utah,' Lemmon said. 'Each state has its own particular set of safety questions.'
Lemmon added that speed limits of 55 mph do not make sense in the West, where distances are greater and highways less congested than they are in eastern states.
Josh Johnson, legislative assistant for Congressman Jim Hansen (R-UT), said that Hansen helped to push for state control over speed limits.
'The states know better which roads can handle the higher speeds,' Johnson said.
Johnson said an energy crisis or a significant increase in accidents could cause the federal government once more to take control of speed limits on the interstate highways.