Nichols Road
1940's Speed Limit Law Needs to Be Changed
The 1940's law that establishes how speed limits are set uses the traffic data from only the most perfect section of the road reviewed - on Nichols road, that's the nice flat, straight section near the fire station. Whatever speed cars travel through that section is the data that sets the limit for the whole road!
A little crazy? with an 80' drop and rise, two schools, four churches and many driveways and neighborhood streets connecting, why not?
This is dangerous and we need to let Lansing know to change the law.
A bill has passed the house and is in committee in the state senate. The section below explains the bill and whom to contact to get some common sense involved in the procedure.
Thank you.
Nichols Road Concerns
Many residents have expressed concerns about Nichols Road and the "lines" that took all year to get completed - the results were less than expected. As one can see, the “Bike Lanes” are not done in a safe manner, and the minimal cross walk at the school has faded to almost nothing, already. Also, the new “walkway” between Grand Prairie and Ravine is not as we were told it would be and is dangerous to walkers as well as bicycle riders. The other item is the increased speed limit. The Charter Township was never contacted by the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County prior to the speed study being done – that is step one of the process. Dexter Mitchell, Charter Township of Kalamazoo Manager, prepared a petition and together we collected over 400 signatures and the petition has been sent to the Michigan State Police to review and open a discussion on the situation.
Safety
We can change the way speed limits are set!
Information Sheet for Neighbors about Speed Limit Bill
Westwood Neighborhood Association Safety Committee
January 16, 2022
Analysis of Michigan House Bill 4014 (adopted by the House; in committee in the Senate)
CONTENT The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:
Ø Modify the analysis required to determine a modified minimum or maximum speed limit.
Ø Require a modified speed limit to be set below the 85th-percentile speed if an engineering and safety study demonstrated a situation with hazards to public safety that were not reflected by the 85th-percentile speed.
Ø Modify the definitions of "county road commission" and "design speed"
The Code prescribes the process for determining modified speed limits on local highways, county highways, limited access freeways, and trunk line highways. The Code specifies that modified speed limits established under the Code must be determined by an engineering and safety study and by the 85th-percentile speed of free-flowing traffic under ideal conditions of a section of highway rounded to the nearest multiple of five miles per hour. In addition, the speed limit may not be posted at less than the 50th-percentile speed of free-flowing traffic under optimal conditions on the fastest portion of the highway segment for which the speed limit is being posted.
Instead, under the bill, a modified speed limit established under the Code would have to be determined in accordance with traffic engineering practices that provided an objective analysis of the characteristics of the highway and by the 85th-percentile speed of free-flowing traffic under ideal conditions on the fastest portion of the highway segment for which the speed limit was being posted. The speed limit would have to be in multiples of five miles per hour and rounded to a multiple that was within five miles per hour of the 85th-percentile speed. The speed limit would have to be set below the 85th-percentile speed if an engineering and safety study demonstrated a situation with hazards to public safety that were not reflected by the 85th-percentile speed, but it could not be set below the 50th-percentile speed.
Under the Code, the county road commission, the township board, and the Department of State Police may determine unanimously, based on an engineering and traffic investigation, that the speed of vehicular traffic on a county highway is greater or less than is reasonable or safe and may establish a reasonable and safe maximum or minimum speed limit on that highway.
"County road commission", as used above, means the board of county road commissioners elected or appointed under Section 6 of the county road law. In addition, in the case of a charter county with a population of 2.0 million or more with an elected county executive that does not have a board of county commissioners, the term means the county executive. The bill would modify the required minimum population from 2.0 million to 1.5 million.
(Section 6 of the county road law prescribes the process of election or appointment and the powers and duties of a board of county road commissioners.)
The Code defines "design speed" as that term as used and determined under "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets", sixth edition, 2011, or a subsequent edition, issued by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Under the bill, "design speed" would mean that term as used and determined under "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets", seventh edition, 2018, issued by the AASHTO.
MCL 257.628 Legislative Analyst: Tyler VanHuyse
Tips from Ron Huster, Westwood Neighborhood Association President
From what I've heard and read, the main thing we need to stress is that this gives the Township a legal voice and safety can play a bigger role in determining speed limits - not just how fast people travel over the best part of the road.
Under the Code, the county road commission, the township board, and the Department of State Police may determine unanimously, based on an engineering and traffic investigation, that the speed of vehicular traffic on a county highway is greater or less than is reasonable or safe and may establish a reasonable and safe maximum or minimum speed limit on that highway.
Take Action!
Please send your opinion about the proposed bill (HB 4014) to the Senate Committee in which it now sits, and request that the Chair hold a vote on the proposed bill.
NOTE: If you know someone who is a constituent of any committee member, please ask that person to convey the message. It means more when it comes from a constituent.
Senate Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Tom Barrett-R (Chair)
SenTBarrett@senate.michigan.gov
District 24—Clinton, Eaton, parts of Ingham, Shiawassee Counties
Kimberly LaSata-R
SenKLaSata@senate.michigan.gov
District 21: Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph Counties
Ed McBroom-R
https://www.senatoredmcbroom.com/contact/
District 38: Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft Counties
Roger Victory-R
SenRVictory@senate.michigan.gov
District 30: mostly Ottawa County
Rick Outman-R
SenROutman@senate.michigan.gov
District 33: Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta and Montcalm Counties
Dan Lauwers-R
https://www.senatordanlauwers.com/contact/
District 25: Huron, St. Clair, and Sanilac Counties, and 5 townships in Macomb County.
Doug Wozniak-R
SenDWozniak@senate.michigan.gov
District 8: St. Clair Shores and a crazy shape north and west of that
Erika Geiss-D
https://senatedems.com/geiss/contact/
District 6: part of Wayne County
Marshall Bullock-D
https://senatedems.com/bullock/contact/
District 4: parts of Detroit area
Adam Hollier-D
https://senatedems.com/hollier/contact/
District 2: parts of Detroit area
NOTE: These are the current districts. After the 2022 elections, districts will be different.
Your Speed Is Trailer
Speeding in Kalamazoo Township?
Kalamazoo Township has the following form to request a speed trailer. Sometimes people don't realize how fast they are traveling,
The trailer records all traffic with time and speed. Data can be used to position officers or patrols.
Speed Trailer Request
See Something - Say Something
The Police Need Your Eyes & Ears
See Something going on that shouldn't happening, Say Something!
269-488-8911 is the non-emergency phone for the county's five police agencies.
People And Stop Signs
It seems like these red signs are ignored by more and more drivers.
Do you have any ideas how we can change this bad habit?
more safety tips
Using The ATM
Lock Your Doors At Home
Using The ATM
Try to plan your visits to the automatic teller during the day, rather than after dark.
Choose an ATM location that is in a busy public place.
When visiting a drive-through ATM, keep your doors locked and be prepared to drive away quickly. If anyone approaches your car on foot, roll up your window and drive off.
Pre-plan your transaction car
Try to plan your visits to the automatic teller during the day, rather than after dark.
Choose an ATM location that is in a busy public place.
When visiting a drive-through ATM, keep your doors locked and be prepared to drive away quickly. If anyone approaches your car on foot, roll up your window and drive off.
Pre-plan your transaction carefully, and don't spend too much time at the machine.
When you make a withdrawal, quickly place the money in your purse or wallet and leave as soon as you finish.
Watch out for suspicious-looking people waiting around an ATM - they may not really be customers. If someone offers to let you go ahead of them, decline politely and leave.
If you have not finished your transaction and you are approached by a suspicious character, press the CANCEL button, receive your card, and leave quickly.
Lock Your Car
Lock Your Doors At Home
Using The ATM
Always lock your car and take the keys, even if you'll only be gone a short time.
Lock doors when driving.
If your car breaks down, raise the hood and place emergency reflectors or flares. Then stay in the locked car. When someone stops to help, don't get out. Ask him or her (through a closed or cracked window) to telephone the police to co
Always lock your car and take the keys, even if you'll only be gone a short time.
Lock doors when driving.
If your car breaks down, raise the hood and place emergency reflectors or flares. Then stay in the locked car. When someone stops to help, don't get out. Ask him or her (through a closed or cracked window) to telephone the police to come and help.
If you're coming or going after dark, park in a well-lit area that will still be well-lit when you return.
Never pick up hitchhikers.
Control you keys. Never leave an identification tag on your key ring. If your keys are lost or stolen, it could help a thief locate your car and burglarize your home.
If carrying packages or valuable items, store them in your trunk. If you do leave packages, clothing, or other articles in the car, make sure they are out of sight.
Keep the following information in a safe location: Year, Make, Model, Color, VIN, License #, Identifying Marks, Insurance Co., and policy.
And remember, Nearly half of the vehicle thefts the drive left the keys in the car, in the ignition and/or left the car unlocked. Never leave a running car unattended. Lock your car and/or park in a garage with the door closed and locked. Never leave valuables or packages in your car - it is too tempting.
Lock Your Doors At Home
Lock Your Doors At Home
Lock Your Doors At Home
Make sure that ALL doors to the outside are metal or solid, 1 3/4" hardwood and ALL have good, sturdy locks.
Use the locks you have. Always lock up your home when you go out, even if it's only for a few minutes.
Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or put a wooden dowel or broomstick in the door track.
Make s
Make sure that ALL doors to the outside are metal or solid, 1 3/4" hardwood and ALL have good, sturdy locks.
Use the locks you have. Always lock up your home when you go out, even if it's only for a few minutes.
Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or put a wooden dowel or broomstick in the door track.
Make sure your windows, especially at ground level, have good locks, and use them.
Make sure all porches and other possible entrances are well-lit.
Don't hide your house keys under the doormat or in a flowerpot. It's much wiser to give an extra key to a trusted neighbor.
Keep written records of all furniture, jewelry, and electronic products. If possible, keep these records in a safe deposit box, fireproof safe, or other secure place. Take pictures or a video, and keep purchase information and serial numbers if available. These help law enforcement agencies track recovered items.
Clearly display your house number, so police and other emergency vehicles can find your home quickly. (This is so important, it is required by Kalamazoo Township Ordinance.)
If you see a screen that has been cut, broken windows, or a door that's been left open, don't go in. Call the police from a safe location.
If you hear a noise that sounds like someone breaking in or moving around, quietly call the police. If you can leave safely, do so. Otherwise, lock yourself in the room you are in and keep quiet.
Think carefully before buying a firearm for protection. Guns can be captured and used on you or the police, or they can be stolen and sold to anyone. In fact, firearms are so sought after that someone could break into your home for the sole intent of stealing a gun. If you do own a gun, keep it locked up, with the ammunition secured separately, and learn how to use it safely