Roadwise States Utah Driving lessons Speed limits Utah driving lesson · Rules of the Road
Speed limits A 3-minute lesson from the Utah course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Rules of the Road
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 49, 54, 55, 93 Utah's basic speed law says you may never drive faster than is reasonably safe. The numbers below apply only where no sign is posted and no special hazard exists. In many situations the law requires you to go slower than any posted limit.
Know the rule
Basic speed law: never drive faster than is reasonably safe for conditions.
Handbook p. 54 ↗ Speed limits when no sign is posted and no special hazards exist Handbook p. 54 ↗ Know the rule
Changes between these speed zones (transition zones) are marked with pavement markings and extra signs.
Handbook p. 54 ↗ The law requires you to slow down: Approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad crossing Approaching and going around a curve, or nearing the top of a hill On any narrow or winding road With special hazards: people walking beside the road, heavy traffic, dangerous road conditions In poor weather, or any time you cannot see clearly In any highway work zone Approaching an authorized vehicle flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights When your speed keeps you from controlling the car or staying in one lane Handbook p. 54 ↗ Know the rule
On an icy road, 10 mph may be too fast. On an open highway on a rainy night, 25 mph may be too fast.
Handbook p. 54 ↗ Know the rule
Don't drive so slowly that you become a danger. Peace officers can cite you for impeding the normal flow of traffic.
Handbook p. 55 ↗ Know the rule
On the freeway, drive at a speed similar to the cars around you, but you may never legally exceed the posted limit, including when exiting.
Handbook p. 49 ↗ Know the rule
When lights are flashing in a school zone, children are present and you must obey the slower speed limit.
Handbook p. 93 ↗ Put it into practice
It's 3 p.m. and a school zone's lights are flashing. There's no posted number other than the school sign. You slow to 20 mph and keep watching for children until you're past the zone.
A useful reminder 20 near schools, 25 in business and residential areas, 55 on major highways, up to 80 on rural interstates.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is the speed limit when passing a school building or grounds during recess, absent a posted sign? 15 mph 20 mph 25 mph 30 mph Answer: 20 mph
The permitted speed passing a school during recess is 20 mph.
Handbook p. 54 ↗ What is the default speed limit in a business or residential area, absent a posted sign? 20 mph 30 mph 25 mph 35 mph Answer: 25 mph
The permitted speed in a business or residential area is 25 mph.
Handbook p. 54 ↗ What is the default speed limit on major highways, as posted? 45 mph 65 mph 50 mph 55 mph Answer: 55 mph
Major highways are generally posted at 55 mph.
Handbook p. 54 ↗ Utah's basic speed law states that you may never drive: Faster than is reasonably safe for conditions Faster than the posted limit under any circumstance Slower than 45 mph on a highway Faster than 80 mph anywhere Answer: Faster than is reasonably safe for conditions
The basic speed law states you may never drive faster than is reasonably safe for the conditions.
Handbook p. 54 ↗ Driving 25 mph on a rainy night on an open highway could be considered: Always safe if under the posted limit Too fast for conditions The recommended speed in rain Illegally slow Answer: Too fast for conditions
The handbook gives 25 mph on a rainy night as an example of speed that may be too fast for conditions.
Handbook p. 54 ↗ You can be cited for impeding the normal flow of traffic by driving too slowly. True False Answer: True
Peace officers may issue a citation if you are impeding the normal flow of traffic by driving too slowly.
Handbook p. 55 ↗ Previous lesson Turns and turnarounds Next lesson Traffic signals More in Rules of the Road About the source Roadwise’s Utah course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 49, 54, 55, 93. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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