LANSING (WKZO-AM) — The reintroduction of a proposal to raise the speed limit to 80 mph on some rural Michigan freeways and divided highways may no longer be headed for quick passage in the state legislature.
A committee hearing was held Tuesday in Lansing.
The proposal pitched by Brad Jacobsen would lift the limit on controlled-access roads where there are fewer exits.
He said it’s safer if the limit is actually closer to what people are actually driving.
“Why should we make the average driver a criminal? I mean, people drive at a speed that they feel is safe for the road,” Jacobson said.
But opponents, like Peter Kuhnmuench with the Insurance Institute, said the change will translate into more deaths.
“Because of the direct correlation between higher speeds, you’re going to have more fatalities and more accidents,” Kuhnmuench said.
The committee also heard testimony that faster speeds means greater wear and tear on the pavement.
Jacobsen told reporters with MIRS News that the bill may have lost support by the Michigan State Police, which could spell doom for the proposal.
– John McNeill
