[stanman13]

Originally Posted by Bydand

No matter what it is on paper, you can only do what the signs posted say it is. I found that on the Michigan SoS site once, I'll have to look again to see if I can find it again and post a link.

In a small town near where I grew up (here in MI), the posted speed limit was 25 mph. The limit on paper was 35. The cops repeatedly wrote tickets as if it were 25. At some point, a ticketed driver figured this out, and fought their ticket to a higher court. The court actually ordered the signs changed, and the town was made to go back through their records and refund many ticketed drivers.

They often count on you not fighting it or not realizing the actual "on the books" speed limit.

[northstar22]

Originally Posted by stanman13

In a small town near where I grew up (here in MI), the posted speed limit was 25 mph. The limit on paper was 35. The cops repeatedly wrote tickets as if it were 25. At some point, a ticketed driver figured this out, and fought their ticket to a higher court. The court actually ordered the signs changed, and the town was made to go back through their records and refund many ticketed drivers.

They often count on you not fighting it or not realizing the actual "on the books" speed limit.

This is good to know. It's totally ridiculous to have one legal speed limit and post another.

[Bydand]

You will notice the date originally adopted is 1949, but these are the revised numbers as they have been changes through the years, which are given at the bottom of the pages.

Here is a link that gives the speed limit on the freeways (section 8): Michigan Legislature - Section 257.628

And for all other roadways: Michigan Legislature - Section 257.627

Section 257.628

(8) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the maximum speed limit on all freeways shall be 70 miles per hour except that if the state transportation department and the department of state police jointly determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the speed of vehicular traffic on a freeway is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist upon a part of the freeway, the departments acting jointly may determine and declare a reasonable and safe maximum or minimum speed limit on that freeway that is not more than 70 miles per hour but not less than 55 miles per hour and that shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice of the speed limit are erected. The minimum speed limit on all freeways is 55 miles per hour except if reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law or in compliance with a special permit issued by an appropriate authority.

Section 257.627
(10) Subject to subsections (1) and (2)(c), speed limits established pursuant to this section are not valid unless properly posted. In the absence of a properly posted sign, the speed limit in effect shall be the general speed limit pursuant to section 628(1).

Notice that it says the new speed limit is effective when the signs are erected, not before.

[sike0000]

I doubt we would ever see 75. The state knows that at 70, they are pretty much guaranteeing drivers will do 80. Here in MI I have noticed 85 or 90 already depending on the road and traffic.

[RJ17015]

Yes I miss MI's speed limit. We moved to SC - police ALL over. The freeway will go from 65 to 55 to 50 to 55.... within a short distance -- drives me CRAZY! No reason, so you have to pay close attention. Side streets will go from 45 to 35 to 25 again within a short distance -- and again police all over. TONS of speed traps.

[nordwulf]

My speedometer reads about 10% low (most vehicles do) so I usually drive at around 80 mph on the highway which is about 72-73 mph actual speed. Cops won't pull you over for less than 5 mph over the speed limit.

This is a comfortable speed for me as I will be easily passing slower traffic and not have to worry about getting a ticket.

[tjay]

drive fast......waste gas! (i better stop driving fast)

i asked a police officer once if they pull people over for going 5 over........she said they don't. although that was just her. (she was a state cop, i imagine local ones can vary)

my soon to be ex husband found it shocking when we were driving to michigan from missouri and he saw a cop hiding in a ditch trying to bust people. thought it was very underhanded, i guess they don't do that where he's from. i guess it is a little bit messed up.....

[northstar22]

Indiana's horrible for the speed traps, and they'll pull you over for doing 1 over. Their speed limits are also lower - 65 on the freeway and 30 on roads that would be 45 or 55 in Michigan.

[HighlandsGal]

Ah.....I miss driving in Michigan. People there like to drive fast. People putz around here in Denver and it drives me crazy!

[Peter B]

Downstate they like to drive fast ( and so do I) Around Traverse City, most folks drive like they're in a coma. They drive 10mph UNDER the limit

Originally Posted by HighlandsGal

Ah.....I miss driving in Michigan. People there like to drive fast. People putz around here in Denver and it drives me crazy!