The Tennessee General Assembly unanimously passed a bill sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Burkhart, R-Clarksville, that would allow county legislative bodies to delegate the authority to set lower speed limits on county-maintained roads to the chief administrative officer of the county highway department. House Bill 975 aims to enhance traffic safety and give local governments more […]
The Tennessee General Assembly unanimously passed a bill sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Burkhart, R-Clarksville, that would allow county legislative bodies to delegate the authority to set lower speed limits on county-maintained roads to the chief administrative officer of the county highway department.
House Bill 975 aims to enhance traffic safety and give local governments more flexibility in addressing road conditions and safety concerns.
The bill permits county highway departments to set speed limits if the department employs an engineer qualified to conduct traffic investigations based on state standards and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The results of these investigations must be documented and maintained and the counties must install signs to notify drivers of speed limit changes.
“Delegating this responsibility to the chief administrative officer streamlines the process and allows for more efficient decision-making,” Burkhart said. “This will lead to quicker responses to safety concerns and better conditions on county-maintained roads.”
The bill also gives counties with a commission form of government the option to grant boards of commissioners authority to regulate speed limits on county-maintained roads. County commissions may still set speed limits but can delegate the responsibility to the county highway supervisor.
House Bill 975 now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.