Huizenga bill to protect road workers approved by Senate

Huizenga bill to protect road workers approved by Senate

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate on Tuesday approved Sen. Mark E. Huizenga’s legislation to provide greater protection for road workers by authorizing flashing lights and a digital speed limit display when workers are present.

“This bill will ensure we are doing everything possible to keep our workers safe as they work to fix our roads,” said Huizenga, R-Walker. “Having drivers reduce their speed when workers are present can decrease the likelihood of a tragic accident, but sometimes drivers don’t see the road crews until they are too close. This measure will increase the visibility of our construction signs and the information on them — increasing the protection of our road workers.”

In Michigan, the speed limits for freeway work zones change depending on whether workers are present. For these zones, House Bill 5286 would allow the speed limit sign to include lights that flash when workers are at the site and a digital display to indicate the current speed limit.

Huizenga introduced the bill in 2021 before being elected to the state Senate in November.

HB 5286 now heads to the governor to be signed.

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Editor’s note: The above photograph of Huizenga is available by clicking on the image or by visiting https://www.SenatorMarkHuizenga.com/photos/.

Photo caption: Sen. Mark E. Huizenga, R-Walker, stands next to an example of a sign that incorporates flashing lights and a digital display. Before joining the Senate late last year, Huizenga sponsored House Bill 5286, which would allow the speed limit sign to include lights that flash when workers are at the site and a digital display to indicate the current speed limit. Give ‘Em A Break Safety in Grandville brought the signage to Lansing and providing testimony when the bill was taken up by the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

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