MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 300 of 1949 SPEED RESTRICTIONS

257.627 Speed limits.

Sec. 627.

(1) An individual operating a vehicle on a highway shall operate that vehicle at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other condition existing at the time. An individual shall not operate a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than that which will permit a stop within the assured, clear distance ahead. A violation of this subsection shall be known and may be referred to as a violation of the basic speed law or "VBSL".

(2) Except as provided in subsection (1), it is lawful for the operator of a vehicle to operate that vehicle on a highway at a speed not exceeding the following:

(a) Fifteen miles per hour on a highway segment within the boundaries of a mobile home park, as that term is defined in section 2 of the mobile home commission act, 1987 PA 96, MCL 125.2302.

(b) Twenty-five miles per hour on a highway segment within a business district.

(c) Twenty-five miles per hour on a highway segment within the boundaries of a public park. A local authority may decrease the speed limit to not less than 15 miles per hour in a public park under its jurisdiction.

(d) Twenty-five miles per hour on a highway segment within the boundaries of a residential subdivision, including a condominium subdivision, consisting of a system of interconnected highways with no through highways and a limited number of dedicated highways that serve as entrances to and exits from the subdivision.

(e) Twenty-five miles per hour on a highway segment that is part of the local street system as designated by a local jurisdiction and approved by the state transportation commission under 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.651 to 247.675, and that is within land that is zoned for residential use by the governing body of an incorporated city or village under the Michigan zoning enabling act, 2006 PA 110, MCL 125.3101 to 125.3702, unless another speed is fixed and posted.

(f) Twenty-five miles per hour on a highway segment with 60 or more vehicular access points within 1/2 mile.

(g) Thirty miles per hour on a highway segment with not less than 50 vehicular access points but no more than 59 vehicular access points within 1/2 mile.

(h) Thirty-five miles per hour on a highway segment with not less than 45 vehicular access points but no more than 49 vehicular access points within 1/2 mile.

(i) Forty miles per hour on a highway segment with not less than 40 vehicular access points but no more than 44 vehicular access points within 1/2 mile.

(j) Forty-five miles per hour on a highway segment with not less than 30 vehicular access points but no more than 39 vehicular access points within 1/2 mile.

(3) An individual operating a truck with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more, a truck-tractor, a truck-tractor with a semi-trailer or trailer, or a combination of these vehicles shall not exceed a speed of 35 miles per hour during the period when reduced loadings are being enforced in accordance with this chapter.

(4) Where the posted speed limit is greater than 65 miles per hour, an individual operating a school bus, a truck with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more, a truck-tractor, or a truck-tractor with a semi-trailer or trailer or a combination of these vehicles shall not exceed a speed of 65 miles per hour on a limited access freeway or a state trunk line highway.

(5) All of the following apply to the speed limits described in subsection (2):

(a) A highway segment adjacent to or lying between 2 or more areas described in subsection (2)(a), (b), (c), or (d) is not considered to be within the boundaries of those areas.

(b) A highway segment of more than 1/2 mile in length with a consistent density of vehicular access points equal to the number of vehicular access points described in subsection (2)(f), (g), (h), (i), or (j) must be posted at the speed limit specified in the adjoining segment. A separate determination must be made for each adjoining highway segment where vehicular access point density is different.

(c) A speed limit may be posted on highways less than 1/2 mile in length by prorating in 1/10 mile segments the vehicular access point density described in subsection (2)(f), (g), (h), (i), or (j).

(6) An individual operating a vehicle on a highway, when entering and passing through a work zone described in section 79d(a) where a normal lane or part of the lane of traffic has been closed due to highway construction, maintenance, or surveying activities, shall not exceed a speed of 45 miles per hour unless a different speed limit is determined for that work zone by the state transportation department, a county road commission, or a local authority, based on accepted engineering practice. The state transportation department, a county road commission, or a local authority shall post speed limit signs in each work zone described in section 79d(a) that indicate the speed limit in that work zone and shall identify that work zone with any other traffic control devices necessary to conform to the Michigan manual on uniform traffic control devices. An individual operating a vehicle shall not exceed a speed limit established under this section or a speed limit established under section 628. For a work zone that has a speed limit in effect only where workers are present, the state transportation department, a county road commission, or a local authority is authorized to include 1 or more flashing lights and an illuminated changeable digital message displaying the speed limit on the speed limit sign required under this subsection. As used in this subsection:

(a) "Illuminated changeable digital message" means an electronic message that displays the speed limit in a numerical format.

(b) "Present" means located in proximity to a roadway that is not protected by a guardrail or barrier.

(7) The state transportation department, a county road commission, or a local authority shall decrease the speed limit in a hospital highway zone by up to 10 miles per hour upon request of a hospital located within that hospital highway zone. The state transportation department, county road commission, or local authority may decrease the speed limit in a hospital highway zone by more than 10 miles per hour if the decrease is supported by an engineering and safety study. The state transportation department, county road commission, or local authority shall post speed limit signs in a hospital highway zone that indicate the speed limit in that hospital highway zone and shall identify that hospital highway zone with any other traffic control devices necessary to conform to the Michigan manual on uniform traffic control devices. If a change in a sign, signal, or device, is necessitated by a speed limit decrease described in this subsection, the hospital requesting the decrease shall pay the cost of doing so. As used in this subsection, "hospital highway zone" means a portion of state trunk line highway maintained by the state transportation department that has a posted speed limit of at least 50 miles per hour and has 2 or fewer lanes for travel in the same direction, traverses along property owned by a hospital, contains an ingress and egress point from hospital property, and extends not more than 1,000 feet beyond the boundary lines of hospital property in both directions in a municipality.

(8) Subject to subsection (17), the maximum speed limit on all limited access freeways upon which a speed limit is not otherwise fixed under this act is 70 miles per hour, which shall be known as the "limited access freeway general speed limit". The minimum speed limit on all limited access freeways upon which a minimum speed limit is not otherwise fixed under this act is 55 miles per hour.

(9) Subject to subsection (17), the speed limit on all trunk line highways and all county highways upon which a speed limit is not otherwise fixed under this act is 55 miles per hour, which shall be known as the "general speed limit".

(10) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the speed limit on all county highways with a gravel or unimproved surface upon which a speed limit is not otherwise fixed under this act is 55 miles per hour, which shall be known as the "general gravel road speed limit". Upon request of a municipality located within a county with a population of 1,000,000 or more, the county road commission, in conjunction with the requesting municipality, may lower the speed limit to 45 miles per hour on the requested road segment and if a sign, signal, or device is erected or maintained, taken down, or regulated as a result of a request by a municipality for a speed limit of 45 miles per hour, the municipality shall pay the costs of doing so. If a municipality located within a county with a population of 1,000,000 or more requests a speed different than the speed described in this subsection, the county road commission, in conjunction with the department of state police and the requesting municipality, may conduct a speed study of free-flow traffic on the fastest portion of the road segment in question for the purpose of establishing a modified speed limit. A speed study conducted under this subsection must be completed between 3 and 14 days after a full gravel road maintenance protocol has been performed on the road segment. A full gravel road maintenance protocol described in this subsection must include road grading and the application of a dust abatement chemical treatment. Following a speed study conducted under this subsection, the speed limit for the road segment must be established at the nearest multiple of 5 miles per hour to the eighty-fifth percentile of speed of free-flow traffic under ideal conditions for vehicular traffic, and must not be set below the fiftieth percentile speed of free-flow traffic under ideal conditions for vehicular traffic. A speed study conducted under this subsection is the responsibility of the department of state police, and if a sign, signal, or device is erected or maintained, taken down, or regulated as a result of a request by a municipality under this subsection, the municipality shall pay the costs of doing so.

(11) A public record of all traffic control orders establishing statutory speed limits authorized under this section must be filed with the office of the clerk of the county in which the county highway is located or at the office of the city or village clerk or administrative office of the airport, college, or university in which the local highway is located, and a certified copy of the traffic control order is evidence in every court of this state of the authority for the issuance of that traffic control order. The public record filed with the county, city, or village clerk or administrative office of the airport, college, or university must not be required as evidence of authority for issuing a traffic control order in the case of signs temporarily erected or placed at points where construction, maintenance, or surveying activities is in progress. A traffic and engineering investigation is not required for a traffic control order for a speed limit established under subsection (2). A traffic control order must, at a minimum, contain all of the following information:

(a) The name of the road.

(b) The boundaries of the segment of the road on which the speed limit is in effect.

(d) The section of law, including a reference to the subsection, under which the speed limit is established.

(12) Except for speed limits described in subsections (1), (2)(d), (2)(e), and (9), speed limits established under this section are not valid unless properly posted. In the absence of a properly posted sign, the speed limit in effect is the basic speed law described in subsection (1). Speed limits established under subsection (2)(b), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j) are not valid unless a traffic control order is filed as described in subsection (11).

(13) Nothing in this section prevents the establishment of a modified speed limit after a speed study as described in section 628. A modified speed limit established under section 628 supersedes a speed limit established under this section.

(14) All signs erected or placed under this section must conform to the Michigan manual on uniform traffic control devices.

(15) If upon investigation the state transportation department or county road commission and the department of state police determine that it is in the interest of public safety, they may order city, village, airport, college, university, and township officials to erect and maintain, take down, or regulate speed limit signs, signals, and devices as directed. In default of an order, the state transportation department or county road commission may cause designated signs, signals, and devices to be erected and maintained, removed, or regulated in the manner previously directed and pay the costs for doing so out of the designated highway fund. An investigation, including a speed study, conducted under this subsection is the responsibility of the department of state police.

(16) An individual who violates a speed limit established under this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

(17) No later than January 5, 2018, the state transportation department and the department of state police shall increase the speed limits on at least 600 miles of limited access freeway to 75 miles per hour if an engineering and safety study and the eighty-fifth percentile speed of free-flowing traffic under ideal conditions of that section contain findings that the speed limit may be raised to that speed, and the department shall increase the speed limit of 900 miles of trunk line highway to 65 miles per hour if an engineering and safety study and the eighty-fifth percentile speed of free-flowing traffic under ideal conditions of that section contain findings that the speed limit may be raised to that speed.

(18) As used in this section:

(a) "Traffic control order" means a document filed with the proper authority that establishes the legal and enforceable speed limit for the highway segment described in the document.

(b) "Vehicular access point" means a driveway or intersecting roadway.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 190, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 76, Eff. Mar. 19, 1960 ;-- Am. 1962, Act 120, Eff. Mar. 28, 1963 ;-- Am. 1966, Act 223, Imd. Eff. July 11, 1966 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 28, Imd. Eff. Mar. 2, 1974 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 190, Imd. Eff. July 8, 1976 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1986, Act 92, Eff. June 5, 1986 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 460, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1988 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 165, Imd. Eff. July 2, 1990 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 315, Eff. Apr. 8, 2004 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 62, Imd. Eff. Apr. 13, 2004 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 19, Eff. Nov. 9, 2006 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 85, Eff. Nov. 9, 2006 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 252, Imd. Eff. July 2, 2012 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 445, Imd. Eff. Jan. 5, 2017 ;-- Am. 2019, Act 31, Imd. Eff. June 25, 2019 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 52, Imd. Eff. Mar. 29, 2022 ;-- Am. 2023, Act 212, Imd. Eff. Nov. 22, 2023

257.627a "Regularly scheduled school session," "school," and "school zone" defined; speed limit on highway segment in school zone; time period; exception; state trunk line highway or county highway; school in session year-round; signs; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 627a.

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Regularly scheduled school session" means that part of a day scheduled for student instruction until final dismissal of the student body for that day.

(b) "School" means an educational institution operated by a local school district or by a private, denominational, or parochial organization. School does not include either of the following:

(i) An educational institution that the department of education determines has its entire student population in residence at the institution.

(ii) An educational institution to which all students are transported in motor vehicles.

(c) "School zone" means school property on which a school building is located and the adjacent property. A school zone extends not more than 1,000 feet from the school property line in any direction. If 2 or more schools occupy the same property or adjacent properties, 1 of the following applies, as applicable:

(i) If the hours of instruction at the schools are the same, then a single combined school zone shall be established.

(ii) If the hours of instruction at the schools are different, overlapping school zones shall be established.

(2) A school zone speed limit on a highway segment in a school zone, which, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, shall be in force not more than 30 minutes before the first regularly scheduled school session, rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 minutes, until school commences, and from dismissal until not more than 30 minutes after the last regularly scheduled school session, rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 minutes, may be decreased by not more than 20 miles per hour less than the speed limit normally posted but shall be not less than 25 miles per hour. A school superintendent may begin the 30-minute period before the first regularly scheduled school session described in this subsection at a time that is less than 30 minutes before the first regularly scheduled school session and that extends beyond the time school commences, may begin the 30-minute period after dismissal at a time other than dismissal, and, if a school has an off-campus lunch period, may designate the period provided for off-campus lunch as a period during which the school zone speed limit described in this subsection applies.

(3) School zone speed limits shall not apply to a limited access highway or a highway segment over which a pedestrian overhead walkway is erected, if the walkway is adjacent to school property.

(4) Notwithstanding the requirements for a school zone as defined in subsection (1)(c), if a school is located in an area that requires school children to cross a state trunk line highway or county highway that has a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or more to attend that school, the school superintendent may submit a request to the state transportation commission, county road commission, or local authority having jurisdiction over the roadway, as applicable, for a school crossing as permitted under section 613a. If, based on the traffic engineering studies, the road authority determines the need for a lower speed limit, the road authority may designate the crossing as a school zone. Before submitting a request, the school superintendent shall have completed a school route plan as prescribed by section 7A-1 of the Michigan manual of uniform traffic control devices.

(5) If a school is in session year-round, a sign reading "All Year School" shall be posted on the same signpost as and immediately below the school zone sign.

(6) Louvered signs, digital message signs, and flashing lights may be installed to supplement or replace permanent signs required under this section. Signs erected and maintained as required under this section shall conform to the Michigan manual on uniform traffic control devices.

(7) A person who violates a speed limit established under this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: Add. 1978, Act 42, Imd. Eff. Mar. 7, 1978 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 21, Eff. Mar. 27, 1980 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 222, Imd. Eff. July 18, 1980 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 574, Imd. Eff. Jan. 16, 1997 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 110, Imd. Eff. May 22, 2000 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 88, Imd. Eff. July 20, 2005 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 446, Imd. Eff. Jan. 5, 2017

257.627b Repealed. 2006, Act 85, Eff. Nov. 9, 2006.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to speed limit for school buses.

257.627c Installation and use of automated speed enforcement systems in work zones; violations; report to legislature.

Sec. 627c.

(1) Beginning 1 year after the effective date of the amendatory act that added section 2c, the state transportation department may install and use or authorize the installation and use of an automated speed enforcement system in a work zone that is not separated from traffic by concrete barriers on a street or highway under the jurisdiction of the state transportation department. The installation and use of automated speed enforcement systems is subject to all of the following:

(a) A sign must be placed 1 mile before the start of a work zone where an automated speed enforcement system is installed and used under this section indicating that the work zone is monitored by an automated speed enforcement system.

(b) A digital display must be placed on or near the automated speed enforcement system that shows the speed of an approaching vehicle as measured by the automated speed enforcement system.

(i) The work zone is active and located on a freeway with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or more.

(ii) Workers are exposed or there are traffic hazards, including, but not limited to, lane shifts, lane splits, lane width reductions, closed shoulders, and rough pavement.

(iii) The work zone will be active for 30 days or more.

(iv) There are no significant obstructions to line of sight for the automated speed enforcement system.

(d) Automated speed enforcement systems must be used in an equitable manner to avoid causing a disparate impact on specific communities.

(e) Not more than 4 automated speed enforcement systems may be installed and used at the same time within the jurisdiction of a state transportation department region office.

(f) The state transportation department may install and use an automated speed enforcement system only by contracting with a third-party vendor.

(g) An automated speed enforcement system must be activated and detecting vehicle speed for the purpose of enforcing this section only while workers are present in the work zone.

(2) Except for an individual operating a police vehicle, a fire department or fire patrol vehicle, or a public or private ambulance as provided in section 632, if an individual violates an applicable speed limit described in section 627 by exceeding a posted speed limit by 10 miles per hour or more in a work zone while workers are present, on the basis of a recorded image produced by an automated speed enforcement system, all of the following apply:

(a) An individual must be issued a written warning using a form that is created by the automated speed enforcement unit under subsection (7) for either of the following violations as described in this subsection:

(i) A first violation.

(ii) A violation that occurs more than 3 years after that individual's most recent violation.

(b) For a second violation as described in this subsection that occurs less than 3 years after a written warning is issued under subdivision (a), the individual is responsible for a civil infraction and must be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $150.00.

(c) For a third or subsequent violation as described in this subsection that occurs less than 3 years after a second or subsequent violation, the individual is responsible for a civil infraction and must be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $300.00.

(3) A sworn statement of an automated speed enforcement system operator, based on inspecting a recorded image produced by an automated speed enforcement system, is prima facie evidence of the facts contained in the recorded image. A recorded image indicating a violation must be available for inspection in any proceeding to adjudicate the responsibility for a violation of this section. A recorded image indicating a violation must be destroyed as soon as the period for contesting the violation has lapsed, including any period for appeals, or as soon as the individual pays the civil fine in full, whichever occurs first.

(4) All of the following apply to a recorded image and any other data collected by an automated speed enforcement system:

(a) The image and data may be used only for the purpose of adjudicating a violation of this section.

(b) Except to the extent necessary to adjudicate a violation of this section, the image and data are confidential and exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

(c) The image and data must not be shared with or sold to any private or public third party not involved with installing and using the automated speed enforcement system.

(5) In a proceeding for a violation of this section, prima facie evidence that the vehicle described in the citation issued was operated in violation of this section, together with proof that the individual who was issued the citation was at the time of the violation the registered owner of the vehicle, creates a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle was the individual who committed the violation. The presumption is rebutted if the registered owner of the vehicle files an affidavit by regular mail with the clerk of the court stating that the registered owner was not the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation or testifies in open court under oath that the registered owner was not the operator of the vehicle at the time of the alleged violation. The presumption also is rebutted if a certified copy of a police report, showing that the vehicle had been reported to the police as stolen before the time of the alleged violation of this section, is presented before the appearance date established on the citation. For purposes of this subsection, the owner of a leased or rented vehicle shall provide the name and address of the individual to whom the vehicle was leased or rented at the time of the violation.

(6) Notwithstanding section 742, a citation for a violation of this section may be executed by the state transportation department or a person designated by the state transportation department by mailing by first-class mail a copy to the address of the registered owner of the vehicle as shown on the records of the secretary of state. The state transportation department shall also file the citation with the court having jurisdiction over the offense. If the summoned individual fails to appear on the date of return set out in the citation mailed under this subsection, the clerk of the court shall enter a default after certifying, on a form furnished by the court, that the defendant has not made a scheduled appearance or has not answered the citation within the time provided by law.

(7) Subject to appropriation, an automated speed enforcement unit is created within the state transportation department composed of individuals appointed by the director of the state transportation department, to do all of the following:

(a) Oversee the implementation and use of automated speed enforcement systems under this section.

(b) Train and certify automated speed enforcement system operators to operate and monitor automated speed enforcement systems and provide sworn statements under subsection (3).

(c) Create a form for the written warning described in subsection (2) and any other new written forms or notices necessary for enforcing this section.

(8) The state transportation department shall develop guidelines for installing and using automated speed enforcement systems. In developing the guidelines, the state transportation department shall consider best practices for installing and using automated speed enforcement systems and recommendations from the manufacturers of automated speed enforcement systems. The guidelines must include, but are not limited to, procedures for each of the following:

(a) Determining where to place an automated speed enforcement system.

(b) Regular calibration and maintenance of an automated speed enforcement system.

(9) By not later than March 1 of each year after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, the state transportation department shall submit to the members of the house of representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over transportation, and make publicly available on the state transportation department website, a report on the use of automated speed enforcement systems in this state that includes, at a minimum, all of the following:

(a) The number of citations given under this section.

(b) The age and sex of the individuals given citations under this section.

(d) An accounting of both of the following relating to automated speed enforcement systems installed and used under this section:

(i) The costs of installing and using.

(ii) The revenue generated.

(10) As used in this section, "present" means located in proximity to a roadway that is not protected by a guardrail or barrier.

History: Add. 2024, Act 164, Eff. Apr. 2, 2025

257.628 Maximum or minimum speed limit; determination; petition by township board; modified speed limit; public record of traffic control order; speed limit signs, signals, or devices; violation as civil infraction; definitions.

Sec. 628.

(1) If the county road commission, the township board, and the department of state police unanimously 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 upon any part of the highway, then acting unanimously they may establish a reasonable and safe maximum or minimum speed limit on that county highway that is effective at the times determined when appropriate signs giving notice of the speed limit are erected on the highway. A township board may petition the county road commission or the department of state police for a proposed change in the speed limit. A township board that does not wish to continue as part of the process provided by this subsection shall notify in writing the county road commission. A public record of a traffic control order establishing a modified speed limit authorized under this subsection must be filed at the office of the county clerk of the county in which the limited access freeway or state trunk line highway is located, and a certified copy of a traffic control order is evidence in every court of this state of the authority for the issuance of that traffic control order. As used in this subsection, "county road commission" means the board of county road commissioners elected or appointed under section 6 of chapter IV of 1909 PA 283, MCL 224.6, or, in the case of a charter county with a population of 1,500,000 or more with an elected county executive that does not have a board of county road commissioners, the county executive.

(2) In the case of a county highway, a township board may petition the county road commission, or in counties where there is no road commission but there is a county board of commissioners, the township board may petition the county board of commissioners for any of the following:

(a) A proposed change in the speed limit without the necessity of a speed study consistent with the methods prescribed for establishing speed limits under section 627.

(b) A proposed change in the speed limit consistent with the provisions for establishing speed limits under this section.

(c) The posting of an advisory sign or device for the purpose of drawing the attention of vehicle operators to an unexpected condition on or near the roadway that is not readily apparent to road users.

(3) The state transportation department and the department of state police shall jointly determine any modified maximum or minimum speed limits on limited access freeways or trunk line highways consistent with the requirements of this section. A public record of a traffic control order establishing a modified speed limit authorized under this subsection must be filed at the office of the county clerk of the county in which the limited access freeway or trunk line highway is located, and a certified copy of a traffic control order is evidence in every court of this state of the authority for the issuance of that traffic control order.

(4) A local road authority shall determine any modified speed limits on local highways consistent with the requirements of this section. A public record of a traffic control order establishing a modified speed limit authorized under this subsection must be filed at the office of the city or village or administrative office of the airport, college, or university in which the local highway is located, and a certified copy of the traffic control order is evidence in every court of this state of the authority for the issuance of that traffic control order.

(5) A speed limit established under this section must be determined in accordance with traffic engineering practices that provide an objective analysis of the characteristics of the highway and by the eighty-fifth percentile speed of free-flowing traffic under ideal conditions on the fastest portion of the highway segment for which the speed limit is being posted. The speed limit must be in multiples of 5 miles per hour and rounded to a multiple that is within 5 miles per hour of the eighty-fifth percentile speed. A speed limit established under this section may be set below the eighty-fifth percentile speed if an engineering and safety study demonstrates a situation with hazards to public safety that are not reflected by the eighty-fifth percentile speed, but must not be set below the fiftieth percentile speed.

(6) If a highway segment includes 1 or more features with a design speed that is lower than the speed limit determined under subsection (5), the road authority may post advisory signs.

(7) If upon investigation the state transportation department or county road commission and the department of state police find it in the interest of public safety, they may order township, city, or village officials to erect and maintain, take down, or regulate the speed limit signs, signals, or devices as directed, and in default of an order the state transportation department or county road commission may cause the designated signs, signals, and devices to be erected and maintained, taken down, regulated, or controlled, in the manner previously directed, and pay for the erecting and maintenance, removal, regulation, or control of the sign, signal, or device out of the highway fund designated.

(8) Signs posted under this section must conform to the Michigan manual on uniform traffic control devices.

(9) An individual who violates a speed limit established under this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

(10) As used in subsections (2) to (9), "county road commission" means any of the following:

(a) The board of county road commissioners elected or appointed under section 6 of chapter IV of 1909 PA 283, MCL 224.6.

(b) In the case of the dissolution of the county road commission under section 6 of chapter IV of 1909 PA 283, MCL 224.6, the county board of commissioners.

(c) In the case of a charter county with a population of 1,500,000 or more with an elected county executive that does not have a board of county road commissioners, the county executive.

(d) In the case of a charter county with a population of more than 750,000 but less than 1,000,000 with an elected county executive that does not have a board of county road commissioners, the department of roads.

(11) As used in this section:

(a) "Design speed" means that term as used and determined under "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets", seventh ed., 2018, issued by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

(b) "Local road authority" means the governing body of a city, village, airport, college, or university.

(c) "Traffic control order" means a document filed with the proper authority that establishes the legal and enforceable speed limit for the highway segment described in the document.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1955, 1st Ex. Sess., Act 10, Eff. Feb. 3, 1956 ;-- Am. 1956, Act 93, Imd. Eff. Apr. 5, 1956 ;-- Am. 1961, Act 164, Eff. Sept. 8, 1961 ;-- Am. 1963, Act 143, Eff. Sept. 6, 1963 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 28, Imd. Eff. Mar. 2, 1974 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 162, Imd. Eff. June 23, 1974 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 143, Imd. Eff. Nov. 8, 1979 ;-- Am. 1987, Act 154, Eff. Dec. 1, 1987 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 368, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 1988 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 320, Imd. Eff. June 25, 1996 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 167, Imd. Eff. June 20, 2000 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 64, Imd. Eff. July 22, 2003 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 65, Imd. Eff. July 22, 2003 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 85, Eff. Nov. 9, 2006 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 447, Imd. Eff. Jan. 5, 2017 ;-- Am. 2024, Act 33, Imd. Eff. Apr. 2, 2024
Compiler's Notes: In OAG 6480, issued November 23, 1987, the Attorney General stated: “It is my opinion, therefore, that 1987 PA 154, which fixes maximum speed limit on certain state highways, becomes effective November 29, 1987.”

257.628a Repealed. 1974, Act 28, Imd. Eff. Mar. 2, 1974.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to minimum speed limit on freeways.

257.628b Maximum speed in certain political subdivisions; vehicle, bicycle or other device; snowmobile exception; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 628b.

(1) Subsection (2) applies only in a political subdivision that prohibits by ordinance, regulation, or resolution the operation of nonemergency motor vehicles in the political subdivision.

(2) Notwithstanding sections 627 and 628, an individual who operates a vehicle, a bicycle, or any other device on a state trunkline highway within a political subdivision described in subsection (1) shall not exceed either of the following speed limits:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision and subdivision (b), 15 miles per hour. This subdivision does not apply to a snowmobile.

(b) Within a business district of a political subdivision described in subsection (1), 10 miles per hour.

(3) An individual who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

(4) As used in this section:

(a) "Historic snowmobile" means that term as defined in section 82101 of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.82101.

(b) "Snowmobile" means a vehicle that meets all of the following requirements:

(i) Is engine-driven.

(ii) Has an endless belt tread.

(iii) Was originally manufactured solely for operation over snow.

(iv) Is steered by 2 sled-type runners or skis that are in contact with the snow and the distance between the centers of the spindles of which is, except for a historic snowmobile, not more than 48 inches.

History: Add. 2024, Act 76, Imd. Eff. July 8, 2024

257.629 Repealed. 2016, Act 445, Imd. Eff. Jan. 5, 2017.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to establishment of prima facie speed limits by local authorities.

257.629a County traffic safety organization; creation, appropriation.

Sec. 629a.

The board of supervisors of any county may create a county traffic safety organization to cooperate with governmental units and officials thereof in the solution of traffic safety problems in the county and to appropriate such sums as it shall deem necessary for the creation and support thereof and to prescribe rules and regulations relative to the duties of such organization and with respect to the expenditure of any such appropriation.

History: Add. 1954, Act 181, Eff. Aug. 13, 1954

257.629b Reduction of maximum speed limit; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 629b.

(1) The governor may reduce the maximum speed limit on a street, highway, or freeway pursuant to an executive order issued during a state of energy emergency as provided by law.

(2) A person who violates a speed limit established pursuant to this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: Add. 1974, Act 28, Imd. Eff. Mar. 2, 1974 ;-- Am. 1975, Act 24, Imd. Eff. Apr. 15, 1975 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 66, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1987, Act 154, Eff. Dec. 1, 1987
Compiler's Notes: In OAG 6480, issued November 23, 1987, the Attorney General stated: “It is my opinion, therefore, that 1987 PA 154, which fixes maximum speed limit on certain state highways, becomes effective November 29, 1987.”

257.629c Points and minimum fine; schedule; applicability of subsection (1).

Sec. 629c.

(1) Notwithstanding sections 320a and 907, a person who is determined responsible or responsible "with explanation" for a civil infraction for violating the maximum speed limit on a limited access freeway or part of a limited access freeway upon which the maximum speed limit is 55 miles per hour or more shall be ordered by the court to pay a minimum fine and shall have points entered on his or her driving record by the secretary of state only according to the following schedule, except as otherwise provided in subsections (2) and (3):

Number of miles per hour
that the vehicle exceeded the
applicable speed limit at the		Minimum
time of the violation	Points	Fine
1 to 5	0	$10.00
6 to 10	1	$20.00
11 to 15	2	$30.00
16 to 25	3	$40.00
26 or over	4	$50.00

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person operating a vehicle or vehicle combination for which the maximum rate of speed is established pursuant to section 627(5) to (7).

(3) For a violation of a maximum speed limit on a limited access freeway by a person operating a vehicle or vehicle combination described in subsection (2), points shall be assessed under section 320a and fines shall be assessed under section 907.

History: Add. 1987, Act 154, Eff. Dec. 1, 1987 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 320, Imd. Eff. June 25, 1996 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 85, Eff. Nov. 9, 2006
Compiler's Notes: In OAG 6480, issued November 23, 1987, the Attorney General stated: “It is my opinion, therefore, that 1987 PA 154, which fixes maximum speed limit on certain state highways, becomes effective November 29, 1987.”

257.629d Repealed. 2006, Act 231, Eff. Sept. 24, 2006.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to highway safety task force.

257.629e Levy, transmittal, and disposition of assessments; annual report; highway safety fund, jail reimbursement program fund, secondary road patrol and training fund; creation; administration; use of money collected; annual report.

Sec. 629e.

(1) Before October 1, 2003, in addition to any fine or cost ordered to be paid under this act, and in addition to any assessment levied under section 907, the judge or district court magistrate shall levy a highway safety assessment of $5.00, a jail reimbursement program assessment of $5.00, and a secondary road patrol and training assessment of $10.00 for each civil infraction determination except for a parking violation or a violation for which the total fine and costs imposed are $10.00 or less. Upon payment of the assessments, the clerk of the court shall transmit the assessments levied to the department of treasury. Until October 1, 2003, the state treasurer shall deposit the revenue received pursuant to this subsection in the highway safety fund, in the jail reimbursement program fund, and in the secondary road patrol and training fund, and shall report annually to the legislature all revenues received and disbursed under this section. An assessment levied under this subsection shall not be considered a civil fine for purposes of section 909.

(2) A highway safety fund, a jail reimbursement program fund, and a secondary road patrol and training fund are created in the department of treasury. The highway safety fund and the secondary road patrol and training fund shall be administered by the department of state police. The jail reimbursement program fund shall be administered by the department of corrections. Until October 1, 2003, money collected under subsection (1) shall be deposited in the respective funds as provided in subsection (1). Beginning October 1, 2003, money collected under subsection (1) shall be deposited in the justice system fund created in section 181 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.181. Money remaining in the respective funds at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse but shall remain in the respective funds for use for the purposes of the funds. The money deposited in the highway safety fund shall serve as a supplement to, and not as a replacement for, the funds budgeted for the department of state police. The money in the highway safety fund shall be used by the department of state police for the employment of additional state police enlisted personnel to enforce the traffic laws on the highways and freeways of this state. The money in the jail reimbursement program fund shall be used by the department of corrections to reimburse counties for housing and custody of convicted felons pursuant to the requirements of section 35 of chapter IX of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 769.35. The money in the secondary road patrol and training fund shall be used for secondary road patrol and traffic accident grants pursuant to section 77 of 1846 RS 14, MCL 51.77, and for grants under section 14 of the commission on law enforcement standards act, 1965 PA 203, MCL 28.614. The department of state police and the department of corrections shall report annually to the legislature all revenues received and disbursed under this section.

History: Add. 1987, Act 154, Eff. Dec. 1, 1987 ;-- Am. 1991, Act 163, Imd. Eff. Dec. 16, 1991 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 268, Imd. Eff. July 5, 2000 ;-- Am. 2001, Act 213, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 2001 ;-- Am. 2003, Act 73, Eff. Oct. 1, 2003
Compiler's Notes: In OAG 6480, issued November 23, 1987, the Attorney General stated: “It is my opinion, therefore, that 1987 PA 154, which fixes maximum speed limit on certain state highways, becomes effective November 29, 1987.”

257.630 Repealed. 1976, Act 439, Imd. Eff. Jan. 13, 1977.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to motor-driven cycles.

257.631 Public bridge, causeway, or viaduct; maximum speed, load, or gross weight; violation as civil infraction; assessment of civil fine; exceptions; determination of civil fine; determination of gross weight; investigation; signs; evidence.

Sec. 631.

(1) A person shall not drive a vehicle upon a public bridge, causeway, or viaduct at a speed or with a load which is greater than the maximum speed or load which can be maintained with safety to the structure, when the structure is signposted as provided in this section. A person who violates this subsection is responsible for a civil infraction.

(2) A person who drives or moves a vehicle or combination of vehicles, or the owner or lessee of a vehicle who causes or allows such a vehicle or combination of vehicles to be loaded and driven or moved, upon a public bridge, causeway, or viaduct when the gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeds the limitations established and signposted pursuant to this section is responsible for a civil infraction and shall be assessed a civil fine as set forth in this subsection. This subsection shall not apply to either of the following:

(a) implements of husbandry operated upon a public bridge, causeway, or viaduct.

(b) The use of a public bridge, causeway, or viaduct by a vehicle or combination of vehicles for a function essential to a farm operation otherwise reasonably inaccessible to vehicles performing the essential agricultural function.

(3) The civil fine assessed under subsection (2) shall be determined as follows:

(a) In the amount equal to 4 cents per pound for each pound of excess load when the excess is more than 2,500 pounds but not more than 3,000 pounds.

(b) In the amount equal to 6 cents per pound for each pound of excess load when the excess is more than 3,000 pounds but not more than 4,000 pounds.

(c) In the amount equal to 8 cents per pound for each pound of excess load when the excess is more than 4,000 pounds but not more than 5,000 pounds.

(d) In the amount equal to 10 cents per pound for each pound of excess load when the excess is more than 5,000 pounds.

(4) For the purpose of this section, the gross weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be determined as prescribed in section 722(7).

(5) The department of transportation, county road commission, or other authority having jurisdiction of a public bridge, causeway, or viaduct may conduct an investigation of that bridge, causeway, or viaduct. If it is found after investigation that the structure cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at the speed or carrying a load otherwise permissible under this chapter, the department, commission, or other authority shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles or load which the structure can withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating that maximum speed and load limitations to be erected and maintained not more than 50 feet from each end of the structure, and also at a suitable distance from each end of the bridge to enable vehicles to take a different route.

(6) The findings and determination of the department of transportation, county road commission, or other local authority, shall be conclusive evidence of the maximum speed and load which can with safety be maintained on a public bridge, causeway, or viaduct.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1959, Act 151, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1959 ;-- Am. 1962, Act 112, Eff. Mar. 28, 1963 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1989, Act 173, Imd. Eff. Aug. 22, 1989
Compiler's Notes: In subsection (4), the reference to "section 722(7)" evidently should read "section 722(11)."

257.632 Exemption from speed limitations; police vehicles, fire department or fire patrol vehicles, and ambulances; conditions.

Sec. 632.

The speed limitation set forth in this chapter shall not apply to vehicles when operated with due regard for safety under the direction of the police when traveling in emergencies or in the chase or apprehension of violators of the law or of persons charged with or suspected of a violation, nor to fire department or fire patrol vehicles when traveling in response to a fire alarm, nor to public or private ambulances when traveling in emergencies. This exemption shall apply only when the driver of the vehicle while in motion sounds an audible signal by bell, siren or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably necessary or when the vehicle is equipped with at least 1 lighted lamp displaying a flashing, oscillating or rotating red or blue light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet to the front of such vehicles, unless the nature of the mission requires that a law enforcement officer travel without giving warning to suspected law violators. This exemption shall not however protect the driver of the vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1976, Act 164, Imd. Eff. June 21, 1976

257.633 Violation of speed limit; specifications in complaint, citation, summons, or notice; burden of proof.

Sec. 633.

(1) In every charge of a violation of a speed limit in this chapter, the complaint or citation and the summons or notice to appear shall specify the speed at which the respondent is alleged to have driven and the speed limit applicable at the location.

(2) The provisions of this chapter establishing speed limits shall not be construed to relieve the plaintiff in a civil action from the burden of proving negligence on the part of the defendant as the proximate cause of a traffic crash.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 446, Imd. Eff. Jan. 5, 2017

Rendered 8/15/2025 1:36 AM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov