TRUCK SPEED LIMIT H.B. 5104 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5104 (Substitute S-1 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Representative Bruce Caswell
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to increase from 55 to 60 miles per hour the speed limit for a truck or truck-tractor being operated on a freeway on which the maximum speed is 70 miles per hour; and revise the speed limit for a person operating a passenger vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer.
The bill would take effect nine months after it was enacted.
Under the Code, a truck with a gross weight of at least 10,000 pounds, a truck-tractor with a trailer, or a combination of those vehicles may not exceed a speed of 55 miles per hour on highways, streets, or freeways, and may not exceed a speed of 35 miles per hour during the period when reduced loadings are being enforced. The bill would include a truck-tractor and a truck-tractor with a semi-trailer in this provision, and make an exception to these speed limits for a truck or truck-tractor traveling on a freeway with a maximum speed limit of 70 miles per hour. In that case, the truck or truck-tractor could not exceed a speed of 60 miles per hour.
Currently, a person operating a passenger vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer may not exceed a speed of 55 miles per hour, unless the vehicle or trailer has a maximum of two wheels and does not exceed the combined weight of 750 pounds for the trailer and load, or a trailer coach not more than 26 feet long with brakes on each wheel and attached to the passenger vehicle with an equalizing or stabilizing coupling unit. The bill would delete this language and, instead, prohibit a person operating a passenger vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer from exceeding the posted speed limit.
MCL 257.627 Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would result in additional costs to the Michigan Department of Transportation for any necessary changes to signage on highways regarding truck speed limits.
Date Completed: 1-26-06 Fiscal Analyst: Craig Thiel
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. hb5104/0506