5021: FLOOR ANALYSIS - SPEEDING IN A WORK ZONE

SPEEDING IN A WORK ZONE - H.B. 5021 (H-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

House Bill 5021 (Substitute H-1 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)

Sponsor: Representative Jason Allen

Senate Committee: Transportation and Tourism

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to increase the number of points added to a driver's record when the driver violated the speed limit in a designated work area. The bill would take effect July 1, 2002.

Under the Code, the speed limit in a designated work area where a lane or part of the lane of traffic has been closed due to highway construction, maintenance, or surveying activities is 45 miles per hour, unless otherwise determined and posted by the Michigan Department of Transportation, a county road commission, or a local authority.

Currently, drivers who speed in construction zones are subject to the same number of points as drivers who speed outside of construction zones. The penalty is four points for a driver exceeding a speed limit by more than 15 miles per hour (mph); three points for exceeding a speed limit by less than 15 but more than 10 mph; and two points for exceeding a speed limit by 10 mph or less. The bill would increase the point penalties to five, four, and three, respectively, for speeding in a work zone.

MCL 257.320a - Legislative Analyst: Claire Layman

FISCAL IMPACT

House Bill 5021 (H-1) would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the Department of State depending on the extent to which the bill increased the assignment of points. Drivers are assigned points for violations of the Michigan Vehicle Code. Earning 12 points for such violations may result in the suspension or revocation of a driver's license. The reinstatement fee for a driver's license is $125 and benefits the Departments of State and Transportation and various drunk driving-related funds.

Date Completed: 3-13-02 - Fiscal Analyst: Jessica RunnelsFloor\hb5021 - Bill Analysis @ http://www.senate.state.mi.us/sfa

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.