A bill designed to restore the 25 mile-per-hour speed limits on gravel roads was vetoed Friday, Dec. 22 by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Citing existing state law concerning speed and concerns over the bill’s constitutionality, Granholm struck down Senate Bill 248, which would have returned numerous gravel roads to the posted 25 mph speed limits set before Public Act 85 of 2006 increased them all as of Nov. 9.
‘The bill would create a special exception from the standardized process for establishing speed limits adopted earlier this year. I do not believe such an exception is appropriate,? wrote Granholm in a letter to the state Senate. ‘Michigan law already prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle at a speed that is too fast for the conditions of a roadway.?
‘Finally, I am concerned that enactment of Senate Bill 248 could lead to litigation,? the governor wrote. ‘The manner in which the purpose of the bill was changed by the House of Representatives from a bill relating to license plates to a bill relating to speed limits may lead to a constitutional challenge? under the Michigan Constitution of 1963.
Public Act 85 of 2006 eliminated the 25 mph speed limit on 283 gravel and dirt road segments in Oakland County, 41 of which were in Oxford and Addison townships.
As of Nov. 9, the new state law raised the speed limit on the vast majority of the affected roads to the maximum speed of 55 mph.
Critics argued the new 55 mph speed limit was too fast and created a serious safety hazard for motorists, pedestrians and those living on affected gravel roads.
Following much public outcry, state Rep. Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion) and state Sen. Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) worked together to amend SB 248 to counteract Public Act 85.
SB 248 would have restored the previous 25 mph speed limits until January 2009 and allowed locals the power to petition the road commission for increases, if they so chose.