If paying a visit to the Utah Highway Patrol office in Tooele, be sure to check out the Wall of Shame.
A 4-foot by 6-foot bulletin board showcases triple-digit speeding citations. Get ticketed driving 100 mph or over on Tooele County's highways and you'll secure a posted place in local trooper infamy.At least until the bulletin board is cleared in a few months to make room for new citations.
"It doesn't take long to fill up," laughs UHP Sgt. Bruce Riches.
Speed demons aren't the norm, however. Officers say most motorists never tease with 100 mph. Most, in fact, travel within the speed limit - thanks to recent speed limit changes.
"The new 75 mph zones on many (roadways) brought a large segment of motorists into compliance with the law," explains UHP Lt. Verdi White II.
A pair of Deseret News reporters recently pointed a UHP radar gun at hundreds of cars commuting into Salt Lake County from four busy arteries (see accompanying chart).
The average speeds recorded in the four zones were within 6 mph of one another - although the posted speed limits ranged from 55 mph to 75 mph.
"That's about what we'd expect," White said.
Drivers generally have a "comfort speed" where they feel in control of their vehicle and think they can react to changing highway situations, White said.
They'll stay loyal to that speed regardless of posted limits, he added.
Despite more forgiving speed limits in rural roadways, troopers say some motorists still abuse the gas pedal.
"We call them `aggressive drivers,' " White said. "There the people who exceed whatever speed limit is posted and are usually the people you see making multiple lane changes and cutting in front of others," White said.
It's too early to tell if the elevated speed limits have caused more accidents or deaths. Hard statistics won't be available for several months.
"Plus there are so many other things that need to be looked at beside speed," White said.
Other factors include motorists driving drunk, failing to use a seat belt, driving while fatigued and weather conditions.
Still, high speeds are always an aggravating factor in any accident.
"A car that rolls once when traveling 55 mph may roll four times when traveling 75 mph," White said.
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Speeds
LOCATION:
Parley's Canyon at utility exit west of Mountain Dell Reservoir; westbound I-80; 11 a.m.; cloudy skies, dry roads; speed limit 65 mph
Average speed for all vehicles: 65.38 mph
Average speed for tractor-trailer rigs: 62.36
Average speed for all other vehicles: 66.23
Fastest speed logged: 73 mph
Slowest speed logged: 44 mph, a semi, riding its brakes.
LOCATION:
Draper, north of Bluffdale exit; northbound I-15; 11:55 a.m., cloudy skies; dry roads; speed limit 65 mph
Average speed for all vehicles: 64.72 mph
Average speed for tractor-trailer rigs: 63.54 mph
Average speed for all other vehicles: 65.60 mph
Fastest speed logged: 74 mph
Slowest speed logged: 51 mph
LOCATION:
Tooele County, near Tooele-Salt Lake County line; eastbound I-80; 1:10 p.m., partly sunny; dry roads; speed limit 75 mph
Average speed for all vehicles: 70.66 mph
Average speed for tractor-trailer rigs: 66.22 mph
Average speed for all other vehicles: 71.10
Fastest speed logged: 80 mph
Slowest speed logged: 55 mph
LOCATION:
Davis County, north of Salt Lake-Davis County line, southbound I-15; 2:30 p.m., partly sunny; dry roads; speed limit 55 mph
Average speed for all vehicles: 65.09
Average speed for tractor-trailer rigs: 62.40
Average speed for all other vehicles: 65.49
Fastest speed logged: 72 mph
Slowest speed logged: 54 mph
*Survey based on 100 vehicles logged for each of the four sample areas