The state Senate is the next stop for a bill that would raise Michigan’s speed limit to 75 miles per hour on some roads.
The state House approved the legislation this past week.
The bill would require MDOT and the Michigan State Police to conduct speed studies with an eye toward increasing speed limits to 75 miles per hour on 600 miles of rural freeways. Speed limits could also rise on 900 miles of truck line highways, mainly in the Upper Peninsula.
Rep. Bradford Jacobsen, R-Oxford, says his bill would just bring the law up to speed with drivers. He says many drivers are “comfortable” driving 75.
“Let’s not forget … the roads have been designed for 75,” says Jacobsen. “Many would argue you can do a whole lot faster if you had the desire.”
AAA Michigan opposes the bill.
“Given the current conditions of our roadways, we question the safety of traveling the current speed limit, let alone driving at increased speeds,” State AAA President Steve Wagner wrote in a recent op-ed.
Rep. Jacobsen is optimistic the state Senate will follow the lead of the House and approve the bill.
