Sec. 627a.

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Regularly scheduled school session" means that part of a day scheduled for student instruction until final dismissal of the student body for that day.

(b) "School" means an educational institution operated by a local school district or by a private, denominational, or parochial organization. School does not include either of the following:

(i) An educational institution that the department of education determines has its entire student population in residence at the institution.

(ii) An educational institution to which all students are transported in motor vehicles.

(c) "School zone" means school property on which a school building is located and the adjacent property. A school zone extends not more than 1,000 feet from the school property line in any direction. If 2 or more schools occupy the same property or adjacent properties, 1 of the following applies, as applicable:

(i) If the hours of instruction at the schools are the same, then a single combined school zone shall be established.

(ii) If the hours of instruction at the schools are different, overlapping school zones shall be established.

(2) A school zone speed limit on a highway segment in a school zone, which, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, shall be in force not more than 30 minutes before the first regularly scheduled school session, rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 minutes, until school commences, and from dismissal until not more than 30 minutes after the last regularly scheduled school session, rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 minutes, may be decreased by not more than 20 miles per hour less than the speed limit normally posted but shall be not less than 25 miles per hour. A school superintendent may begin the 30-minute period before the first regularly scheduled school session described in this subsection at a time that is less than 30 minutes before the first regularly scheduled school session and that extends beyond the time school commences, may begin the 30-minute period after dismissal at a time other than dismissal, and, if a school has an off-campus lunch period, may designate the period provided for off-campus lunch as a period during which the school zone speed limit described in this subsection applies.

(3) School zone speed limits shall not apply to a limited access highway or a highway segment over which a pedestrian overhead walkway is erected, if the walkway is adjacent to school property.

(4) Notwithstanding the requirements for a school zone as defined in subsection (1)(c), if a school is located in an area that requires school children to cross a state trunk line highway or county highway that has a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or more to attend that school, the school superintendent may submit a request to the state transportation commission, county road commission, or local authority having jurisdiction over the roadway, as applicable, for a school crossing as permitted under section 613a. If, based on the traffic engineering studies, the road authority determines the need for a lower speed limit, the road authority may designate the crossing as a school zone. Before submitting a request, the school superintendent shall have completed a school route plan as prescribed by section 7A-1 of the Michigan manual of uniform traffic control devices.

(5) If a school is in session year-round, a sign reading "All Year School" shall be posted on the same signpost as and immediately below the school zone sign.

(6) Louvered signs, digital message signs, and flashing lights may be installed to supplement or replace permanent signs required under this section. Signs erected and maintained as required under this section shall conform to the Michigan manual on uniform traffic control devices.

(7) A person who violates a speed limit established under this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: Add. 1978, Act 42, Imd. Eff. Mar. 7, 1978 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 21, Eff. Mar. 27, 1980 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 222, Imd. Eff. July 18, 1980 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 574, Imd. Eff. Jan. 16, 1997 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 110, Imd. Eff. May 22, 2000 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 88, Imd. Eff. July 20, 2005 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 446, Imd. Eff. Jan. 5, 2017