When to slow down — Utah Permit Test

Utah law requires a driver to slow down when approaching and crossing an intersection or a railroad crossing.

Both are places where something can come across your path at right angles, which is the collision you cannot steer out of.

When approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad crossing.

Utah law requires a driver to slow down when approaching and going around a curve, and when approaching the top of a hill.

Both hide the road ahead. Arriving slowly is the only way to have any stopping distance left when you can see again.

When approaching the top of a hill.

Utah law requires a driver to slow down in any highway work zone where construction, maintenance, or utility work is being done.

The people in the orange vests are standing in a lane. Slowing down is the only protection they have.

In any highway work zone construction, maintenance, or utility work is done.

Utah law requires a driver to slow down when approaching any authorized vehicle flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights.

Somebody is working in the road beside those lights. The whole point of the flash is to make you arrive slowly.

When approaching any authorized vehicle flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights.

Driving on an icy road at 10 miles per hour, or on an open highway on a rainy night at 25 miles per hour, may be too fast.

Both of those are far below any posted limit, and both are examples the handbook gives of breaking the basic speed law.

Driving on an icy road at 10 miles per hour or on an open highway on a rainy night at 25 miles per hour may be too fast.

Utah law requires a driver to slow down when traveling on any narrow or winding road and any time they cannot see clearly.

A narrow road leaves no room for a mistake, and a road you cannot see is a road you are driving from memory.

When traveling on any narrow or winding road.

Which crossing does Utah law require a driver to slow for?

An intersection or railroad crossing. Both are places where something can come across your path at right angles, which is the collision you cannot steer out of. Utah Driver Handbook 2026-2027, p.45: “When approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad crossing.”