The norm of having local streets with speed limits of 50 km/h goes back to the mid-20th century when provincial highway codes were first set in Canada. This default speed rarely varies, though there are some exceptions.
Why should the basic speed be 50? Why not 30 km/h? Is there a case to be made for slower standard speed limits? At the very least, the subject is worth discussing.
Already we can hear from the back of the auditorium: “that’s too slow!” and “I’ll be late for work!” Interestingly, that may not be the case, but more on that later.
The idea of reducing speed limits inside communities on local roads is far from absurd. But at the very least, we should discuss it as an innovative idea that can improve the flavour and feel of neighbourhoods.
Dropping speed limits to 30 km/h is aimed at roads in neighbourhoods where little commuter travel occurs. Indeed, only a small part of travel takes place there; most travel occurs on arterial or transit routes.
The challenge of implementing such a policy is mostly focussed in concerns over travel times: people think it too slow for ‘getting where they’re going.’ The truth is that in an urban setting, travel time is more a function of other factors including congestion, intersection management and weather.
The benefits of slower local traffic far outweigh any perceived inconvenience. The first advantage to slower local speeds is that traffic noise and danger both drop. One result is that people are encouraged to adopt active transportation such as walking, running, cycling and other means of self-powered transportation.
With quieter streets and slower-moving vehicles, neighbourhoods become better places and improve the quality of life for residents. Improving conditions for active travel also increases the safety of people on the street. And slowing speeds on local streets reduces the dangers of vehicle-pedestrian collisions. Not only are there fewer collisions, but those that do occur at 30 km/h cause less damage: A pedestrian’s chance of surviving a crash at 30 km/h is 90 per cent higher than if they are hit at 50 km/h with its 30 per cent survival rate.
Many communities have implemented 30 km/h speed limits in limited zones. Of course, there are the park and school zones, but other streets or segments may have been slowed as well. This patchwork approach is fine, but other cities have more widely implemented the policy.
For example, Westmount, Québec and Duncan, B.C. have both implemented the new norm on relatively large sectors of their respective territories. Though rare in North America, these policies are more common in Europe.
Introducing a 30 km/h speed limit has been shown to have positive effects on health and some of its determinants, and few trade-offs. Imagine, if you will, the results of slower traffic through the streets in your neighbourhood: less noise, more kids playing, cyclists and joggers. Add in that fewer collisions occur and the benefits seem obvious.
To paraphrase another saying, we should maybe note that driving at 50 km/h is not a right…. Talk about it with your friends and family. Is a widely-implemented 30 km/h speed limit a good idea for your community?
Editor’s note: Dr. Paul Martiquet is the medical health officer for rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
