Moab Settles on Advisory OHV Signs and a Slower 100 West
After months of debate and a survey that pointed to noise as the bigger issue, Moab lowered 100 West to 20 mph and plans yellow advisory signs asking OHV drivers to go 15 mph on busy tourism routes.
Moab's long running OHV speed limit question finally has an answer, at least for now. Here is how it played out, according to local reporting.
How we got here
- In June, the city council voted to postpone speed limit changes until fall, the Moab Times Independent reported. The paper said a 2022 state law requires the same speed limit for any street legal vehicle on a road
- The Moab Sun News reported that an open, unscientific survey of 378 people found noise, not speed, was the top concern, with noise and muffler enforcement the most requested fix
- The council repealed its separate 15 mph OHV limit in June
The September decision
On September 22, the council unanimously lowered the speed limit on 100 West from 25 to 20 mph, the Moab Times Independent reports. Councilors did not lower Mill Creek Drive, which stays at 25 mph.
City staff also discussed piloting yellow advisory signs encouraging OHV drivers to travel 15 mph on certain heavily traveled tourism routes. City Manager Michael Black said the signs would be advisory, OHV drivers would still follow the posted limit, and police would not stop someone just for going faster than the advisory speed.
Our take
Advisory or not, taking it slow and quiet through town is the right move. Residents have made it clear noise is what bothers them most. Easy on the throttle, mind the exhaust and you help keep Moab friendly to all of us who come to wheel.
