SPEED LIMITS ON UNIMPROVED ROADS

House Bill 5944

Sponsor:  Rep. Brian Palmer

Committee:  Transportation

Complete to 9-28-04

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5944 AS INTRODUCED 5-26-04

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to address the reduction of the prima facie speed limit on an unimproved road in a township.  The term “unimproved road” would refer to a gravel or otherwise nonpaved road.

Under the bill, if the county road commission, the township board, and the director of the State Police determined, based on engineering and traffic investigations, that the speed of vehicular traffic on an unimproved road was greater than was reasonable or safe under conditions found to exist at an intersection or other place, the officials could by majority vote decrease the prima facie speed limit to not less than 25 miles per hour within the limits of the township.  The decreased speed limit would be effective when appropriate signs were erected.

MCL 257.629

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill has no apparent fiscal impact.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   William Hamilton

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.