As residents of Provo Canyon, we the undersigned applaud the editorial of The Daily Herald on Sunday, June 15, 2008, in which the Herald argued persuasively that the speed limit in Provo Canyon must be controlled and reduced. How many deaths and serious accidents will UDOT and the policing agencies allow before finally coming to the same conclusion?

UDOT officials claimed that 85 percent of travelers in the canyon were already traveling 60 mph or more and that justified the increase in speed. UDOT's "solution" to raise the speed limit rather than monitor it more closely is counterintuitive. We have long been told that speed kills. Furthermore, in meetings before the construction of the highway, representatives of UDOT told us the highway was designed for 50 mph, not 60.

Those of us who use the canyons can tell you that the average speed has increased in response to UDOT's action. Those who drive 60 mph now block traffic. During the summer, motor bikes (judging by the speed with which they pass others) sometimes exceed 90 mph. Additionally, they often do this at night when visibility is reduced. Where are the speed monitors then? It often seems that we see more emergency equipment than officers controlling speed.

In our letter in 2004, we stated: "Some roadways accessing the canyon highway have curves (e.g., Wicks, Sundance turnoff) or knolls (e.g., Vivian Park) nearby that block views of oncoming traffic. The higher speeds, even if traveled only by a few, significantly reduce the time entering drivers have to cut across two lanes and merge with traffic on the other side of the road." As the editorial in the Herald indicates, many of the accidents have occurred precisely because of these factors.

UDOT's own Supplemental Environmental Impact Study (SEIS, signed by UDOT, 7 Nov. 1989) called attention to similar problems extant before the new highway was constructed:

"Excessive speed is frequently cited as a contributing circumstance. From the Canyon Glen entrance north for one-half mile, the highway climbs a 5 percent grade. This grade encourages excessive speeds for southbound traffic" (SEIS, p. 1-11).

For the Bridal Veil Falls and Upper Falls area, the SEIS states: "Many accidents in this area are related to turning movements of vehicles leaving or entering the road for recreation access" (SEIS, p. 1-12).

While the new highway has alleviated some of these circumstances, the problems continue to exist for these and other areas: the entrance to the highway from Bridal Veil Falls, Nunns Park, Vivian Park, Springdell, Canyon Glen, Timpanogos Park and Squaw Peak Road. Several of these areas were hazardous before the increased speeds; now they are much worse.

As we noted in our letter: "The posted speed on most interstate highways is 65 mph. They have on-ramps and off-ramps. Bikes and pedestrians are prohibited. The newly posted speeds in the canyon are a mere 5 mph lower than the freeways. Unlike the freeways, however, the canyon has numerous entrances and exits, some without acceleration and deceleration lanes. Unlike freeways, bicycles are common. Pedestrians sometimes cross. People sometimes park on the edge of the highway (e.g., near Canyon Glen) because parking is insufficient within the park. Small children as well as teenagers and adults use these parks which are adjacent to the highway. These conditions clearly suggest that the current speed limit of 60, compared to those allowed on interstate highways, is clearly out of line." The Herald also noted in its editorial that the canyon has numerous blind curves and poor vision in places.

Finally, as we also noted in our letter, the canyon has high truck traffic, some of it carrying toxic chemicals. The higher speed limit significantly increases the chances of accidents involving trucks and rollovers. This will affect not only the residents of the canyon, but chemicals could easily be blown out of the canyon and into the valleys. If the increase in the speed limit is allowed to remain, both the number and severity of truck as well as automobile accidents will increase.

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

1. The Department of Transportation immediately reduce the posted speed limit in Provo Canyon.

2. The policing agencies, the highway patrol and the county sheriff's office, monitor the speed in the canyon much more closely.

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

• This petition was signed by 30 Provo Canyon or Sundance residents. The petition with the list of signers is available at the Opinions tab at www.heraldextra.com.