Ontario's Possible Plan for Slower Speed Limits Faces a Bumpy Road Ahead
Road safety is an important issues that impacts all Canadians. The safety of our children, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers are all at risk in residential areas and on city streets. This is why the Ontario government is considering reducing speed limits in residential areas to help protect pedestrians and make city roads safer for everyone.
What is proposed? According to CBC News, the government is considering lowering the speed limit to 40 km/h in areas where no speed limit is posted, dropping it from its current limit of 50 km/h.
"It makes a big difference, we live in denser communities, cars are getting faster, our population numbers are much higher now,” said Community Safety Minister Yasir Naqvi.
“One study out of the U.S. found that nine out of ten pedestrians survive a collision with a car travelling 20 mph (or 32 km/h), while just one in ten survive a collision at 40 mph (or 64 km/h),” says Matthew Coutts, in Ontario's possible plan for slower speed limits faces a bumpy road ahead.
Speed Bumps Ahead for the Proposed Change
Even though there is research that suggests even lowering the speed limit by 10 km/h can reduce injuries and increase changes of surviving, the proposal has been met with some criticism.
With traffic congestion an issue in many cities across the provinces, especially in the GTA, many are concerned that the drop in speed limit will have adverse effects on the daily commute.
Additionally, there is also something to be said for how long it will take a change like this to really have an impact. As we have seen with the implementation of distracted driving laws, it takes times for drivers to adjust their driving habits, making many wonder if drivers will just continue to drive at current speeds if the speed limit is lowered.
According to the Winnipeg Free Press, “Cities with recently-reduced speeds, including Edmonton and Montreal, had not seen a significant drop in average speeds.”
Then there is the question of enforcement, among other factors, that will have to be dealt with if a change is approved.
8 Tips for Driving in Residential Areas
- Keep your head on a swivel
- Slow down when road conditions are poor
- Pay extra attention when driving in school zones
- Put your phone away and pay attention to the road
- Take extra care at stop signs and crosswalks
- Never assume pedestrians can see you
- Abide by the posted speed limit
- Always be ready to react quickly to changing circumstances
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree about the proposed changes? Tell us why you think it’s a good idea.
Read more about road safety in residential areas
Safe Driving Tips For Residential Areas
10 Road Safety Tips For Driving In The City
5 Road Safety Tips For Driving In Traffic