Speed-limit hike opposed

If given a choice, Utah residents wouldn't want to increase the speed limit on state highways.

In fact, a new survey shows that 66 percent of Utahns are opposed to a bill that would raise the speed limit on state highways from 65 and 75 mph to 70 and 80 mph, respectively. Of those opposed, 53 percent said they were "strongly opposed."

About 32 percent of respondents said they were in favor of a 5 mph increase.

The survey was done for the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV by Dan Jones & Associates. It was conducted Jan 2-4 and had a margin of error of 5 percent. A total of 400 people responded to the survey.

Pollster Dan Jones said Monday that he wasn't surprised by the strong opposition. People believe that it is safer to drive at lower speed limits and also that they get better gas mileage, Jones said.

"It's not surprising at all." The Utah Department of Transportation said that the type of road and the road conditions determine whether higher speeds are safe.

The response to a second poll question by Jones was just as unsurprising, according to state lawmakers. The question asked residents if they could support an increase in the state gas tax to fund highway construction, maintenance, expansion and repair.

About 41 percent of respondees said they could support a gas tax hike, while 55 percent said they would not.

Given the state's budget surplus, House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, said that it was an easy answer for residents to say they wouldn't support a tax hike. "This is not a time to be talking taxes," he said.

But funding for transportation is still expected to be a top issue at the Capitol this legislative session. Several smaller bills, such as speed limit bill, are also expected to surface. The speed limit bill, SB17, is being sponsored by Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City. The bill also creates a new type of tickets for "careless" drivers, who use their cell phone, eat or put on makeup while driving.

Curtis said Monday that lawmakers will focus this session on how much money to give transportation, in addition to creating an ongoing funding source to fund road repairs and fixes. Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, is sponsoring a bill that would funnel money from automobile-related sales to the state's transportation fund.

Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, said Monday that he was a "huge supporter" of dedicating money from auto-related sales to transportation. Currently, much of the money from those sales goes into the state's general fund, which helps pay for programs such as health, corrections and higher education.

The gas tax is not an adequate funding source, he said. In fact, it is losing value with inflation and also as motorists shift toward more eco-friendly cars that don't use gasoline.