TOWNSHIP TRAFFIC SPEED RESTRICTIONS
House Bill 4022
Sponsor: Rep. Ruth Ann Jamnick
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 2-8-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4022 AS INTRODUCED 1-25-01
Under current law, speeds on both state trunk lines and county roads are set by the State Transportation Commission, or the county road commission with respect to highways under its jurisdiction, and the director of the Department of State Police, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic study.
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow the State Transportation Commission and the director of the Department of State Police jointly to determine safe road speeds only on state trunk lines. Further, the bill would allow a county road commission, the township board, and the director of the Department of State Police jointly to determine safe speeds on county highways. In both instances, the officials would be required to base any speed limit on an engineering and traffic study.
Specifically, the bill states that if the county road commission, the township board, and the director of the Department of State Police jointly determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the speed of vehicular traffic on a county highway is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist, then the officials acting jointly may establish a reasonable and safe maximum or minimum speed limit that would be effective at the times determined, when appropriate signs giving notice of the speed limit are erected at the intersection or other part of the highway. The bill also would delete county highways from the kinds of roads for which state agencies are responsible to set safe speeds.
MCL 257.628
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.