Utah Code 41-6a-601. Speed regulations — Safe and appropriate speeds at certain locations — Prima facie speed limits — Emergency power of the governor
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(1) A person may not operate a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions, giving regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing, including when:
Terms Used In Utah Code 41-6a-601
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Highway: means the entire width between property lines of every way or place of any nature when any part of it is open to the use of the public as a matter of right for vehicular travel. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
- Intersection: means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two or more highways that join one another. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
- Operate: means the same as that term is defined in Section
41-1a-102 . See Utah Code 41-6a-102 - Person: means a natural person, firm, copartnership, association, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, governmental agency, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
- Railroad: means a carrier of persons or property upon cars operated on stationary rails. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
- Roadway: means that portion of highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
- State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes a state, district, or territory of the United States. See Utah Code 68-3-12.5
- Traffic: means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for the purpose of travel. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
- Urban district: means the territory contiguous to and including any street, in which structures devoted to business, industry, or dwelling houses are situated at intervals of less than 100 feet, for a distance of a quarter of a mile or more. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
- Vehicle: means a device in, on, or by which a person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a highway, except a mobile carrier, as defined in Section
41-6a-1120 , or a device used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks. See Utah Code 41-6a-102
(1)(a) approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing;
(1)(b) approaching and going around a curve;
(1)(c) approaching a hill crest;
(1)(d) traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway;
(1)(e) traveling in, through, or approaching other hazards that exist due to pedestrians, other traffic, weather, or highway conditions; and
(1)(f) the speed causes the person to fail to maintain control of the vehicle or stay within a single lane of travel.
(2) Subject to Subsections (1) and (4) and Sections 41-6a-602 and 41-6a-603, the following speeds are lawful:
(2)(a) 20 miles per hour in a reduced speed school zone as defined in Section 41-6a-303;
(2)(b) 25 miles per hour in any urban district; and
(2)(c) 55 miles per hour in other locations.
(3) Except as provided in Section 41-6a-604, any speed in excess of the limits provided in this section or established under Sections 41-6a-602 and 41-6a-603 is prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and that it is unlawful.
(4)
(4)(a) A violation of Subsection (1) is an infraction.
(4)(b) For an individual convicted of a speed violation where the individual was operating at a speed of 100 miles per hour or more, the court shall impose a fine not less than 150% of the suggested fine in the uniform fine schedule authorized in Section 76-3-301.5 and in effect at the time of the citation.
(5) The governor by proclamation in time of war or emergency may change the speed limits on the highways of the state.