A new law allows Michigan communities more freedom in lowering speed limits based on safety concerns.
LANSING, Mich. (WJRT) - A new change in Michigan law allows communities a little more freedom in determining speed limits on their roadways.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4012 last week that allows local leaders to consider subjective concerns like pedestrian safety, road visibility obstructions, or proximity to parks and playgrounds.
Previously, speed limits were required to be set based on a study showing the speed that 85% of traffic traveled on a stretch of roadway. The speed limit had to round up to to the next multiple of five.
So if a speed study showed 85% of traffic traveled at 38 mph, the speed limit was required to be set at 40 mph for that stretch of road.
With the new law, a speed study still is required to determine the 85th percentile speed. However, municipal leaders have an option to round the speed limit down to the nearest multiple of five if they cite safety concerns.
So if the same speed study showed 85% of traffic traveled at 38 mph, the speed limit could be 35 mph or 40 mph.
The new law also eliminates a requirement for municipalities to pay for an engineering and safety study to justify lower speed limits.
"This will help to correct less-than-perfect language in our current law related to how speed limits are set, provide ways to reduce costs for our local road agencies, and institute clear guidelines to help keep all roadway users safer," said Republican State Rep. Brad Slagh of Zeeland, who sponsored the plan.Â
