Motorcycles are also speeding all along Williams Lake Road

Thank you for your comments. A couple of pieces of information, though:

1. This section of Williams Lake Road is designated as a county primary road (which is different in function and typical speed than a residential road).

2. The Road Commission does not unilateraly control the speed limits on county roads. According to state law, the speed limits on county roads must be approved by the Michigan State Police.

3. We have found that the Michigan State Police will not approve a speed limit that does not relfect the "85th percentile." The 85th percentile is the speed at which 85 percent of the motorists on a road are traveling.

Prior to being reconstructed several years ago, Williams Lake Road between M-59 and Gale Road was under a Traffic Control Order (TCO) of 40 MPH. When the road was reconstructed and widened, the new section was posted 40 MPH under the previous TCO.

The new section of road has an 85th percentile speed in excess of 50 MPH which is what the Michigan State Police base the speed limit on. However, when asked to study this section of road, the State Police wanted us to look at the entire section of road from Cooley Lake to Dixie Highway as part of their efforts to update speed limit TCOs. The 85th percentile speeds were greater than what was posted, so a new TCO was written to reflect the current speed motorist were traveling.

The 85% percentile speed is considered to be the safe and reasonable speed taking into account the environmental conditions of roadside development, etc.

- Road Commission for Oakland County

Thanks for the canned answer. FYI, I fully understand what you conveyed, BUT isn't there other variables that must be taken into consideration? Between Airport Road and Gale Road most of the dwellings are residential, over your so-called 85% percentile, and yes I understand the various road designations so your options are limited. Can the +85% residential dwellings be considered to lower the speed limit, and then have the police make some money to slow the traffic down.

This was not a "canned" answer. It was written in response to the specific issue you raised.

As noted, the 85th percentile refers to the speed traveled by motorists on the road. It has nothing to do with the type of land use along the road.

Also as noted, the speed limit must be approved by the Michigan State Police. The MSP WILL NOT approve a speed limit that is inconsistant with the 85th percentile speed for the road.

The philosophy behind the MSP position is that 85 percent of drivers will drive at a safe and reasonable speed for the road and conditions present -- and that they will drive at that speed REGARDLESS of what the posted speed limit is. In other words, even if the speed limit were lowered (which the MSP will NOT allow), that is not likely to have an impact on the speed motorists actually drive. All it would do is create a false sense of security.
- Road Commission for Oakland County

OK...believe it or not, I did understand from the beginning. I was just trying to slow traffic down as a kid will be hit as it is too dangerous considering the lack of egress to the north side from south, except for one crosswalk. The southeast side does not have a bike path for kids to get to the crosswalk.

Again, I appreciate you communicating with me

speed needed to be increased for years...can you imagine if it was 30?! THAT wouldn't cause any issues! :o

This is NOT a residential road. It has main road lines painted on it and main road signs along it. Stop complaining about a non-issue.

This is not an issue. The original commenter seems to think that this is a residential street, which it is not.