A bill that many, including Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk, expected the governor to sign regarding gravel road speed limits was vetoed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Friday evening.
The governor said the rewritten bill, Senate Bill 248, was unconstitutional because it was being changed from its original purpose. The bill’s original purpose addressed license plates.
Sen. Mike Bishop and Rep. Jim Marleau were among those that rewrote the bill, hoping to address legislation from earlier this year that changed the speed limits on most gravel roads.
The bill passed through both the house and senate during the ‘lame duck? session.
‘I’m surprised,? Dywasuk said of the veto. ‘We had assumed that with the house and senate taking action, this bill would pass.?
‘I thought it was interesting that they waited until the end of the day, before a holiday weekend, to make the announcement,? he added.
Reaction to the original legislation, Public Act 85, taken in November, was coming almost exclusively from northern Oakland County.
The act eliminated 25 mile-per-hour signs on all gravel roads, making the speed limits based entirely on access points.
For gravel roads with 60 or more vehicular access points (driveways, roads, and/or streets) within a half-mile, the speed limit changed to 30 mph.
For gravel roads with between 45 and 59 access points within a half-mile, the speed limit changed to 35 mph.
For gravel roads with between 30 and 44 access points within a half-mile, the speed limit changed to 45 mph.
Those with less than 30 access points changed to 55 mph.
‘Orion is in a very unique position, having over 42 miles of gravel roads and 34,000 people living here,? Dywasuk said.
On Dec. 18, the township held a public hearing, inviting Thad Peterson, a First Lieutenant with the Michigan State Police, to come and speak on speed limit studies.
‘No matter what you post, people are going to tend to drive what they drive,? Peterson said.
‘The perception is always that a higher speed limit will make the roadway less safe,? he said. ‘But people tend to drive at the same speeds whether it’s posted at 25 or unposted.?
Peterson said that drivers intuitively look for these access points, especially on gravel roads.
But trustee John Garlicki said keeping the lower speed limits could keep neighborhoods safe from reckless drivers.
‘We have a policy in this township where we don’t put safety paths on gravel roads and there is no other method to get from point A to point B,? he said. ‘I can’t keep my kids riding their bikes in the driveway forever.?
Peterson said the only thing a lower speed limit changes in that case is the parent’s view of the road, not the drivers.
‘The speed limit sign doesn’t change the way people drive on the road, it only changes your perception of how safe that road is,? he told Garlicki.
More reaction to the governor’s veto available in next week’s issue.