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Donald R. Huff,
Chairman
Eugene S. Fleming, Vice Chairman
Jack Demming, Member
Michael A. Roper, Managing Director
Robert M. Tholl, Office Manager |
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Speed Limits
Speed limits are a tough subject. Sometimes it appears that a good share
of drivers would like to drive 70 MPH past everybody else's house and
have everyone drive 25 MPH past theirs! Michigan's Basic Speed Law takes
precedence over all other speed laws and reads as follows: "Any
person driving a vehicle on a highway shall drive the same 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 conditions than existing, and no person shall
drive any vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than will permit him
to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead".
The maximum speed limit on County Roads in Michigan is of course 55 MPH
and the prima facia speed is set at 25 MPH in business and residential
areas. Between 25 MPH and 55 MPH exists a gray, intermediate area
described as "modified" or "permissive" speed zones.
It is this area that is of concern to most people. The State Legislature
has given authority for regulation of speeds on county roads to the
County Road Commission and the Michigan State Police. Both the State
Police and the Road Commission must agree and sign the control order
before a speed limit can be enforced. No modified speed limit ticket is
valid without a traffic control order to back it up.
We prefer that speed limit change requests come through the township the
road is in. That way the township has a chance to get public input as
well as be aware of the request. When we get the request from the
township, we contact the Safety and Traffic Officer with the State
Police in Traverse City. He will come over and make a study of the
highway to determine if a change in the speed limit is necessary. One
criteria he uses in a residential area is that a lower speed limit
requires there to be at least one house per 300 feet for at least 1/2
mile. Setting realistic speed zones is an important factor for safe
highways. Authorities found out a long time ago that drivers will ignore
unrealistic speed limits and so police go by what they call the "85
percentile speed". This is the speed at or below which 85 percent
of the observed traffic is moving. The speed limits are generally
established within seven MPH either way of this 85th percentile speed.
The 15% of drivers going over this limit are the ones that need to slow
down or risk getting a ticket.
"No Parking " zones are set by a similar procedure as speed
zones. A control order for the area to be marked "No Parking"
must be approved by both the State Police and the Road Commission to be
enforced. Otsego County Road Commission no longer will put up
"Children at Play" signs on our roads. Besides not being legal
signs, we feel they give a false sense of security to parents. It is not
safe to play on the road period.
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