A new bill introduced recently last year by the Michigan
House has proposed for the speed limit in “rural” freeways to increase to 80
mph. The five-bill package would give
the Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan State Police the
authority to set higher speed limits based on scientific studies of typical
traffic flow.
“People drive as fast as they feel safe,” according to State
Representative Bradford Jacobsen, who said studies show that a majority of
Michigan residents are already traveling at speeds above the current 70 mph
limit on highways. According to Jacobsen, because most people are driving at
almost 80 mph anyway, he says why not make that a reasonable speed instead of
having people break the law?
However, traffic researchers say speed limits and safety are
not always directly related. As Jacobsen mentioned, motorists tend to travel at
speeds they feel safe, and uniform speeds tend to produce safer roads. Therefore,
he believes the speed limit should be changed but it would only be applied to
highways considered “rural.” The term “rural” is loosely defined according to
Jacobsen, but generally would not have any driveways and have very limited
access to other roads or ramps. “We used the word ‘rural’ or out-state just to
make sure people know we’re not trying to change I-75 through downtown
Detroit,” said Jacobsen.
Yet critics like the Michigan Municipal League, the Michigan
Townships Association, and the Insurance Institute of Michigan believe that
faster speeds may lead to deadlier crashes, but the Michigan Department of
Transportation and Michigan State Police have expressed support for setting
limits based on the 85th percentile rule. The 85th
percentile rule refers to the average speed at which 85 percent of motorists
travel at and how limits are generally established to reflect that.
Critics are probably right, however. According to a study by
the University of Michigan, there was a 19.2% increase in fatalities and a
39.8% increase in serious injuries when Michigan raised its speed limit on
rural limited highways from 55 mph to 65 mph in December 1987. If this study
showed a big increase in car accident deaths when the speed limit was raised to
just 65 mph, then imagine what could happen if it reaches 80 mph, especially
considering many people drive above the speed limit. It doesn’t matter if it’s
a “rural” highway, the fact of the matter is the faster vehicles go anywhere,
the more dangerous it is. This is why critics do not agree with this bill.
However, Jacobsen said he hasn’t received any major objections from lawmakers
and says the proposal has actually been well received and has a good chance of
it passing through.
If
you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor,
Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield,
Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City
Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys
know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your
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compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow
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