Speed Limit Increase

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported a number of bills aimed at changing the speed limits in some areas of the state. Once the initial change has been made, additional studies could be conducted testing safety, speed, and the engineering of the roads to determine if the speed limit needs to be adjusted.

HB 4423 was reported 11-1 with Representative Michael McCready (R-Bloomfield Hills) voting no and Representatives Marilyn Lane (D-Fraser), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti), Tom Cochran (D-Mason) and Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) abstaining. HB 4424 passed with a vote of 11-2 with Representatives Cochran and McCready voting no and Representatives Lane, Rutledge and Dianda abstaining. HB 4425 was reported 11-3 with Representatives McCready, Cochran and DIanda voting no, and Representatives Lane and Rutledge abstaining. HB 4426 passed 12-2 with Representatives McCready and Dianda voting no, and Representatives Lane and Cochran abstaining. And finally HB 4427 reported 12-1 with Representative McCready voting no and Representatives Lane, Cochran, and Dianda abstaining.

The package is aimed mostly at rural highways, with some provisions regarding gravel roads and school zones. Gravel roads would be reduced to 45 miles per hour mostly in counties with populations of 1 million or less. Communities would be able to request an additional decrease if studies reflect the need. School zones speed limits will be put in effect a half hour before school and a half hour after, and during lunch hours if the school has free lunch periods.

Traffic violations under this package would be reduced to one point on a license if above 5 miles per hour over the limit instead of two points. The Department of Transportation and the Department of State Police would also have authority to increase speeds.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, February 5, 2016 10:16 AM
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