It may be time to slow down on area dirt roads once again.
Early last month, Senators Nancy Cassis (R-Novi), Majority Leader Mike Bishop, (R-Rochester) and Deb Cherry (D-Burton) recently introduced a bill that would allow speed limits lower than 55 mph to be posted on gravel roads.
Many residents along area gravel roads were angered to learn of a revised state law, enacted by the state legislature in March 2006, that increased 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, including Brandon and Groveland townships, previously posted as 25 mph zones, were impacted by the change.
Don Green, Milford Township supervisor, has continued the fight to reestablish the speed limit in cities, villages or townships that were effective on Nov. 6, 2006.
A change, Green said, is necessary given several conditions in rural areas.
‘We should have some say on how fast people drive,? said Green. ‘They should be set at something livable?25 mph is too slow 35 is an acceptable speed. Lawmakers have to understand that stopping on dirt is not like stopping on pavement’these roads wind around and are often hilly. Many of the rural areas do not have bike paths or sidewalks for pedestrians. People walk in the road.?
If you would like to voice your opinion regarding the current 55 mph speed limit on gravel roads please send correspondence to your legislators or locally to Brandon Township Supervisor Kathy Thurman
kthurman@brandontownship.us