Although the Variable Speed Limit (VSL) signs between Rock Springs and Green River on Interstate 80 were not officially ‘live’, the return of winter weather Sunday night gave the Wyoming Department of Transportation the opportunity to test the use of the newly installed signs.
Lt. Scott Keane with the Wyoming Highway Patrol said it was encouraging to see the voluntary compliance with the reduced speeds Monday morning. Throughout the day, speed limits ranged from 40-65 mph. Keane said fines for speeding in a Superintendent’s Speed Zone that are not part of a construction zone that are between one and nine miles an hour over the posted speed limit are fairly low. “Once a ticket is issued for 10 miles an hour or more, the fine rate begins to increase rapidly,” he said.
“Drivers need to know that if it is snowing, they should expect to find the speed limit has been lowered. They need to give themselves more time to reach their destination and just slow down. Give us the opportunity to get you there safely,” he said.
WYDOT’s first use of reduced speed zone was on a section of I-80 between Rawlins and Laramie, where a seasonal speed limit was set in place for a six-month period beginning on Oct. 15, 2008. The VSL signs began operating on a portion of this highway section in February 2009. The seasonal limit resumed for another six-month period beginning on Oct. 15, 2009 and by the end of that year additional variable speed limit signs had been brought online to cover the remainder of the section.
WYDOT crash data for the section showed a peak in the number of crashes during 2007, with 402 crashes, 91 which resulted in injuries and three fatalities.
Lt. Scott Keane with the Wyoming Highway Patrol said it was encouraging to see the voluntary compliance with the reduced speeds Monday morning. Throughout the day, speed limits ranged from 40-65 mph. Keane said fines for speeding in a Superintendent’s Speed Zone that are not part of a construction zone that are between one and nine miles an hour over the posted speed limit are fairly low. “Once a ticket is issued for 10 miles an hour or more, the fine rate begins to increase rapidly,” he said.
“Drivers need to know that if it is snowing, they should expect to find the speed limit has been lowered. They need to give themselves more time to reach their destination and just slow down. Give us the opportunity to get you there safely,” he said.
WYDOT’s first use of reduced speed zone was on a section of I-80 between Rawlins and Laramie, where a seasonal speed limit was set in place for a six-month period beginning on Oct. 15, 2008. The VSL signs began operating on a portion of this highway section in February 2009. The seasonal limit resumed for another six-month period beginning on Oct. 15, 2009 and by the end of that year additional variable speed limit signs had been brought online to cover the remainder of the section.
WYDOT crash data for the section showed a peak in the number of crashes during 2007, with 402 crashes, 91 which resulted in injuries and three fatalities.
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