As a parent in Provo, I watch my three daughters walk to school every morning. It is a vital part of their growth and our routine. However, HB24 — currently awaiting Gov. Spencer Cox’s signature — threatens the safety that makes their independence possible by effectively decriminalizing speeds up to 29 mph in school zones.
The math is startling: 29 mph is 145% of the 20-mph limit. Proportionally, that is the equivalent of driving 102 mph on a 70-mph freeway. We recognize triple-digit speeds on our highways as criminal recklessness, yet HB24 would downgrade the equivalent danger in a school zone to a mere infraction.
A child hit by a car at 20 mph has a 90% survival rate; at 30 mph, it’s 50%. This risk not only determines life and death but also contributes to congestion. When parents feel it’s unsafe for children to walk, they drive, causing morning gridlock.
Safe, predictable 20 mph zones encourage independent children, which removes cars from our roads. I urge my fellow Utahns to contact Cox immediately and ask him to veto HB24. Let’s choose to prioritize our children’s safety, their independence and the long-term health of our neighborhoods.
Danny Cardoza
Provo, UT