It’s time to slow down on the road because the City of Vancouver just unanimously approved reducing speed limits on all local streets across the city.
Dropping 50 km/h to 30 km/h, the city hopes that these slower speeds will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in residential areas.
SAFER SPEEDS
As local streets are typically located in residential areas, they tend to lack a centre line that delineates lanes for vehicles. By reducing speed limits, the goal is to heighten safety on these streets by preventing vehicles from going speeds that can cause road-related fatalities, collisions, and excessive noise.
The blanket speed across Vancouver is 50 km/h, which is set by the Province of B.C.. Municipalities have the power to reduce speeds on individual streets, and Vancouver has already done so on local street greenways, and local street school and playground zones (30 km/h). This is now being expanded to include all local streets within Vancouver as part of the city’s Vision Zero Action Plan.
The benefits of lower speeds include reduced fatalities, fewer collisions, and less noise. With a 30 km/h speed limit, pedestrian fatalities due to collisions are noted to drop from 80% to 15%; and stopping distances are reduced by nearly 50%.
IMPLEMENTATION
“We are committed to seeing safer streets and a reduction in both road-related fatalities and serious injuries,” said Mayor Kem Sim in a news release from the City of Vancouver. “We look forward to implementing evidence-based practices and finding new, innovative ways to keep pedestrians and active transportation users safe.”
Over the next three years, residents can expect signage to be installed at entry points into 25 neighbourhood slow zones, as well as other measures to be implemented by the City’s Neighbourhood Traffic Management Program (NTM). Budget allowing, further neighbourhoods would have speeds lowered in “future capital plans.”
The City plans to take several steps to ensure people are informed about the new speed limit by installing new signage in affected areas, as well as launching a public education campaign to raise awareness.
Additionally, residents in impacted neighbourhoods will be sent notifications as the changes are phased in. Community members will also be offered free “Slow Down” lawn signs to help spread the message.
