70 M.P.H. SPEED LIMIT S.B. 80 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 80 (Substitute S-2 as amended on Third Reading) Sponsor: Senator Doug Carl
Committee: Transportation and Tourism
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to provide that the maximum speed limit on all freeways would be 70 miles per hour. The bill would delete the current provision that the maximum speed limit is 65 miles per hour on all highways or parts of them upon which a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour is permitted by Federal law. The bill specifies that the maximum speed limit on M-28 west of I-75 and U.S. 2 would be 65 miles per hour except where a local authority had set a lower speed limit.
The bill also would prohibit the Secretary of State from entering points against a person’s driving record for the following offenses: recklessly operating a motor vehicle; violating any speed law or ordinance by exceeding the lawful maximum by more than 10 but less than 15 miles per hour or careless driving in violation of the Code; violating any speed law or ordinance by 10 miles per hour or less; disobeying a traffic signal, traffic control device, or stop sign; improper passing; or, committing other moving violations pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles, if the following conditions were met at the time of the offense: the person was operating a motor vehicle within the scope of his or her employment as an employee performing a lane closure or moving ongoing maintenance program of the State or of a county, township, city, or village; the motor vehicle was owned or leased by his or her employer; and, the offense was necessary to perform a job function.
The bill would delete driving record points and fines for vehicles that traveled 56-60 miles per hour or 61-70 miles per hour.
MCL 257.320a et al. Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
The cost of installing new speed limit signs would depend on the miles of road affected and whether overlay or new signs were required. The cost of an overlay is approximately $200. A new speed limit sign costs approximately $320. These costs include installation. Based on the number of speed limit signs on State highways, the total cost would be approximately $300,000.
Provisions of the bill that would prohibit points and waive fines for certain violations when a person was operating a motor vehicle within the scope of his or her employment when performing a lane closure or moving ongoing maintenance program would have a minimal fiscal impact.
Date Completed: 12-12-95 Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.