Interstate 17: Where faster isn't better

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

Do you drive "too fast" or need to "slow down" on Interstate 17? As we shared this week, six new signs will tell you exactly that if you're exceeding the speed limit between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point, where crashes due to speeding can cause injuries, fatalities and long delays.

These speed-feedback signs are part of a $1.1 million I-17 safety project between New River and Camp Verde. They display the posted speed limit and will show drivers their speed up to 5 mph over the posted speed limit. Motorists traveling over the limit will see a digital message saying, "too fast” or “slow down."

The video above shows how they work.

A study found that Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers cited “speed too fast for conditions” as the leading driver violation in more than 40 percent of I-17 crashes in the Black Canyon City area between 2011 and 2015. The new signs are another way to remind drivers to slow down on a stretch of road where crashes can cause long delays.