Local residents clamoring to maintain lower speeds on Oakland County’s gravel roads may soon have reason to celebrate.
Residents along many area gravel roads were angered to learn of a revised state law, enacted by state legislature in March, that would increase the speed limit on roads previously posted at 25 mph to 55 mph’even in residential areas.
About 283 gravel road segments in Oakland County, previously posted as 25 mph zones, were affected.
However, Senate Bill 248 amending what some representatives call an unintended consequence of the earlier revision, and allowing local officials to petition for lower speed limits where they deem it necessary, has passed the House and the Senate, and is awaiting the approval of the governor.
Senator Deborah Cherry (D-26th district) voted in favor of the bill.
‘I voted for the changes so the the speed limits on dirt roads could be more flexiible,? said Cherry. ‘I think it’s important to recognize the individual circumstances regarding the conditions of the road.?
Cherry added she felt it was also important the bill not be used to allow speed traps, which she said was a concern.
Liz Boyd, the governor’s press secretary, said Gov. Jennifer Granholm had received the bill Dec.11 and it was under review.
‘She has 14 days to make a decision,? from the time she receives the bill, said Boyd.
As it stands, the revised law determines speed limits by the number of vehicle access points such as side roads, alleys and driveways. Under that law, which went into effect Nov. 9, speed limits are lowered as the number of access points increases.
Spearheading the change last March was the Michigan State Police Department, following their study of rural roads.
‘Oakland County’s 25 mile speed limit was illegal on rural roads, it was based on a 1949 law,? 1st Lt. Thad Peterson, Michigan State Police, Traffic Services commander told The Citizen last month.
However, public outcry against the change sent lawmakers clamoring to amend the law, including State Representative Jim Marleau, (R- 46th district), who voted in favor of the revised law initially.
‘I am very pleased with how effectively we were able to reach a compromise,? said Marleau. ‘This amendment addresses our original intent of changing the speed limit rules.?