SCHOOL ZONE AND RESIDENTIAL SPEED RESTRICTIONS
House Bill 6366
Sponsor: Rep. Ken Daniels
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 9-26-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6366 AS INTRODUCED 9-24-02
House Bill 6466 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to reduce from 25 miles an hour to 15 miles an hour the maximum speed limit in school traffic zones and in residential areas. A violation of the lower speed limit in a school zone would add three points to a driver's driving record, after the secretary of state recorded the violation.
More specifically, the law provides that the prima facie speed limit in a school zone, which must be in force not less than 30 minutes (but nor more than one hour) before the first regularly scheduled school session until school begins, and then again from dismissal until not less than 30 minutes (but not more than one hour) after the last school session, and also during a lunch period when students are allowed to leave the school, must be 25 miles an hour, if permanent signs designating the speed limit have been posted at the request of the school superintendent. Under the bill, these provisions would be retained, however the prima facie speed limit would be 15 miles an hour.
Further, the prima facie speed limit for any street in a school zone that has sidewalks along at least one side of the street, and which is in force during the same periods as the before- and after- (and lunch-time) school speed limit is in force, also would be 15 miles an hour. Currently that speed limit, when requested by the school superintendent, cannot be more than 15 miles per hour below the regularly posted speed limit for that street, nor less than 25 miles per hour.
The bill also would reduce from 25 miles an hour to 15 miles an hour the maximum speed limit in a residential district. Currently the speed limit is 25 miles an hour in a residential district.
MCL 257.320a et al
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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.