Michigan Motorists: Rural Road Limits May Soon Get Speedier

Michigan drivers could cruise country roads at the highest speed allowed in the Great Lakes region if state senators say OK to on-the-table legislation.

The law would boost speed limits from 70 to 75 miles per hour on rural freeways and from 60 to 65 on state trunkline highways. It narrowly earned the go-head Wednesday, earning a 56-53 tally in the Michigan House of Representatives, according to an mlive.com report.

"A previous version of the legislation left open the possibility of 80 mph speed limits after further study," according to the article. "But that provision was struck (by representatives contending that) Michigan roads weren't built for speeds that high."

If the law goes into effect, Michigan will join South Dakota in having the fastest speed limits in the Midwest. All limit changes would be contingent upon an engineering study.

Look to mlive.com for additional highlights from the legislation.