Bills to raise speed limit signed into law

Speed limits on certain Michigan roadways may increase after studies are conducted to ensure safety under legislation signed recently by Gov. Rick Snyder.

“Ensuring that all Michiganders are safe while operating vehicles on our state’s roadways is critically important, and these bills allow for appropriately increased speed limits on certain
roadways after safety studies are conducted,” Snyder said. 

The legislation requires the Michigan Department of Transportation to allow the speed limit to be raised up to 75 mph on at least 600 miles of freeways and up to 65 mph on at least 900
miles of non-freeway “M” roads.

The increases are allowed only if safety and engineering studies show the 85th percentile of speeds currently driven on those roads allow for it.

The bills also raise the maximum speed limit for trucks from 60 to 65 mph and adjusts measures used by insurers to determine eligibility for auto insurance.