A guide to the proposed new speed limits
Why is Vancouver proposing a new speed limit?
The speed limit on most Vancouver streets is currently 50 km/h. Whether the street is a major thoroughfare or a narrow residential side street, the speed limit is the same.
The earliest that the speed limit change is likely to take effect is spring 2009.
Every year, the City receives many complaints about vehicles speeding on local side streets. Often these cars are not travelling faster than the speed limit, but they are travelling faster than is reasonable for a residential side street. When the City consulted with residents for its Transportation Plan, one of the issues that many residents felt strongly about was that 50 km/h was too fast for their local streets. The City adopted the Plan in 1997 with the recommendation that the speed limit on side streets be reduced to 40 km/h.
Many studies have shown that reduced speeds greatly increase safety. In particular, pedestrians and cyclists are much less likely to be seriously injured if vehicle speeds are reduced. Lower speeds on side streets help make them safer, more livable, and more comfortable for cyclists, pedestrians and residents.
A 40 km/h speed limit would:
- set a more appropriate speed limit on most residential roads
- send a message to drivers that community streets deserve respect
- improve safety
- improve livability
Reducing the speed limit will also allow police to enforce more reasonable speeds on side streets and help the City identify where speeding is occurring and where traffic calming measures, such as speed humps and corner bulges, might be most useful.
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/engsvcs/transport/40kph/index.htm
Why is Vancouver proposing a new speed limit?
The speed limit on most Vancouver streets is currently 50 km/h. Whether the street is a major thoroughfare or a narrow residential side street, the speed limit is the same.
The earliest that the speed limit change is likely to take effect is spring 2009.
Every year, the City receives many complaints about vehicles speeding on local side streets. Often these cars are not travelling faster than the speed limit, but they are travelling faster than is reasonable for a residential side street. When the City consulted with residents for its Transportation Plan, one of the issues that many residents felt strongly about was that 50 km/h was too fast for their local streets. The City adopted the Plan in 1997 with the recommendation that the speed limit on side streets be reduced to 40 km/h.
Many studies have shown that reduced speeds greatly increase safety. In particular, pedestrians and cyclists are much less likely to be seriously injured if vehicle speeds are reduced. Lower speeds on side streets help make them safer, more livable, and more comfortable for cyclists, pedestrians and residents.
A 40 km/h speed limit would:
- set a more appropriate speed limit on most residential roads
- send a message to drivers that community streets deserve respect
- improve safety
- improve livability
Reducing the speed limit will also allow police to enforce more reasonable speeds on side streets and help the City identify where speeding is occurring and where traffic calming measures, such as speed humps and corner bulges, might be most useful.
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/engsvcs/transport/40kph/index.htm
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