Fast-driving Utah motorists had better slow down or it could cost a lot of money - possibly $4 million. That's an expensive speeding ticket by any standard.
The $4 million is what Utah will lose in federal highway money in 1992 if drivers fail to obey the 55 mph speed limit on urban stretches of interstate highways in Provo, Salt Lake and Ogden.Federal rules on speeding are relatively lenient. They say up to 50 percent of motorists can exceed the 55 mph limit without costing the state a 5 percent share of its federal highway dollars.
But most drivers in the posted sections have been going faster than even that liberal allowance.
Since the federal fiscal year began in October, 59 percent of drivers exceeding the 55 mph limit in the first quarter, 44 percent in the second quarter, and 67 percent in the third quarter. To qualify for federal funds, the number of violaters would have to be under 40 percent in the final quarter, an unlikely event since July-September is normally the high-speed season.
As a result, the yearly average appears certain to be above the 50 percent permitted under federal law. When federal highway checks arrive in 1992, Utah is going to have a $4 million deduction as a speeding fine.
The state cannot afford such an expense just to allow motorists to drive faster than the speed limit in urban heavy traffic areas.
Nobody likes speeding tickets, but issuing more tickets appears to be the only way to prevent the loss of those federal dollars. Unfortunately, the Legislature this year did not fund the extra Highway Patrol troopers sought by the state - because they might write more tickets.
Funds to hire more officers might be an item to consider on the Legislature's special session this summer, if the money can be found. It may be too late to save the $4 million based on this year's driving record, but the next federal fiscal year starts again in October and the same rules about speeding will apply.