Want to change a speed limit on one of your town roads?
from Maine Local Roads News, Winter 1999/2000
from the Maine Local Roads Center, Community Services Division

There are still towns in Maine who think that they have the local authority to create or change a speed limit on local roads. This is UNTRUE.

State law authorizes the MDOT, with the approval of the Chief of the State Police, as the only legal entity to create or change a speed limit. If towns create or change a speed limit there is no legal authority to the change and it is unenforceable.

If speed limits are not posted on a public way, then the following "default" limits are in effect:

• 15 mph in a school zone during recess or opening or closing hours,
  
• 25 mph in a business or residential area or built up portion,
  
• 45 mph on all other public ways.

Therefore, if your town feels the need to create or change a speed limit, you must request the change in writing to the DOT Traffic Engineer or your local DOT Division Traffic Engineer. A field study will be made and then a recommended speed will be forwarded to the DOT Commissioner and the State Police. Then the town will be notified of the speed limit and be responsible for erecting standard black-on-white signs in the proper locations.

Additional information about speed limits and other traffic issues can be found on our website.