4.__Prohibition.__A person may not operate a vehicle in excess of maximum speeds fixed pursuant to this section as long as notice of changes in speed limits has been given by signs erected by the municipality.

Sec. 3. 29-A MRSA §2075, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2, and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

1. Minimum speed limit. A person may not operate a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation of the motor vehicle or in compliance with law.

When the Department of Transportation determines, on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, that slow speeds on those portions of a public way not located in a municipality consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the Commissioner of Transportation, with the approval of the Chief of the Maine State Police, may establish a minimum speed limit.

A person may not operate a vehicle below a posted minimum speed limit, except when necessary for safe operation.

Sec. 4. 29-A MRSA §2075, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is repealed.

Sec. 5. Transition. Speed limits established within a municipality by the Department of Transportation as of the effective date of this Act remain in effect until changed by the municipality pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 2073- A.

SUMMARY

This bill transfers authority for setting speed limits in municipalities from the Department of Transportation to municipalities. This authority does not include setting speed limits for the interstate highway system or the Maine Turnpike. The bill also allows municipalities to establish passing and no- passing zones.