By Joseph Alan Owens
Everyone that has driven I-15 through Salt Lake or Provo road construction knows, from several bright orange signs, that fines are doubled in construction zones. But few realize that Utah code limits police discretion in issuing double fines.
Utah State law allows police officers to issue double fines for speeding only when construction workers are in the area. But police have been issuing the inflated tickets all along the posted construction area along I-15.
Between mile markers 140 and 180 on I-15, just outside of Fillmore, Millard County, there is a speed trap that has been named one of the top ten in America, according to speedtrap.com.
Charles Owens, a resident of American Fork, received a speeding ticket while traveling through this area in Fillmore almost a year ago. He was traveling 80 mph in the 60 mph zone when he was pulled over by the officer.
On top of the regular fine, Owens'' fine was doubled because the area is a construction zone.
'Yes, there were signs that clearly stated that fines would double if I was caught speeding while I was traveling through the construction area,' Owens said.
The fine turned out to be over $200.
Scott Davis, a Provo resident, was on his way home from a Jazz game one evening last week when he was pulled over on I-15 for traveling 70 mph in a 55 mph zone. His ticket was more than $300 after it was doubled because of the construction zone in Salt Lake.
In both Owens'' and Davis'' case, there were no construction workers present. Yet, both of their tickets clearly stated their fines were doubled because they were speeding in these areas.
Owens, who was informed of this law by a friend, fought his ticket and won.
'It was a bit of an inconvenience to travel all the way down there, but it was sure worth it,' Owens said.
Davis plans on contesting his ticket.
Utah law also states that signs must be clearly marked and posted informing travelers of the doubled fines.