This thread discusses the Content article: LOCAL OPINION: Provo Canyon residents call for lower speed limits

What I find particularly delightful about this opinion is UDOT's response to speeders: raise the speed limit. Following this genius line of thinking that UDOT employs then if one feels marijuana should be legalized, then everybody needs to start smoking it. Don't like a law? Then keep breaking it. Eventually law enforcement will tire of policing it and it will no longer be a crime. One can certainly hope the Einstein who implemented the speed change has no children; we might imagine his or her parenting skills..."My child kept starting fires in the neighbor's house, so I petitioned the city to make that legal so he won't get in trouble." And these utter morons dictate safety for the rest of us? Evidently, education is not a prerequisite for UDOT employment. Certainly not common sense; always the best advice for safety.

I could lament that the four lane highway has stolen away the canyon's charm and beauty. But, spilled milk, spilled milk. Instead, we need to focus our efforts on safety. Post the limit at 50 mph, double fines for speeding in the canyon. Saves lives, saves gas and only inconveniences ones commute by a couple of minutes.

For the reasons listed above, we the undersigned ask that:

3. All who travel through the canyon drive responsibly and well within the speed limit.

In other words, don't jump out in front of oncoming traffic, assuming the other driver will stand on his brakes so that you won't become a hood ornament!

Actually, I find the design of the route more at fault for recent accidents than I do the speed limit. Don't get me wrong, I do think the speed limit could use some lowering, but I don't think it will really do any good since no one really seems to pay attention to their speed through there and the downhill slope makes it more difficult to maintain a safe speed through there.

The design flaw I mean, though is the fact that traffic is allowed to cross the median to turn onto that highway. All entrances and exits on that road should be on both sides of the road at every entrance and exit. There should be no entrances and exits where traffic can cross in front of oncoming traffic, especially at speeds in excess of 55mph around mountain curves where visibility is limited by canyon walls and trees and the ability to stop is further hindered by the downhill grade. At the very least there needs to be a lane for merging into traffic long enough to get up to a minimum safe speed.