EDITORIAL – Go slow on cutting speed limits to 30 km/h on city’s streets

An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.

IT SEEMS SELF-EVIDENT that slower driving is safer driving, but many will argue against that assumption. While lower speed limits out on the highway certainly contribute to fewer crashes, residential streets present a more complex equation.

In B.C., the mandated speed limit within city limits is 50 km/h unless otherwise posted, as in school and playground zones. There’s something of a movement within municipalities, however, to lower it to 30 city-wide except for collector streets and arterials.

Kamloops is joining the bandwagon, with City council about to order up a pilot project to gauge whether it should be done here.

The Union of B.C. Municipalities has lobbied for the 30 km/h rule for the past half dozen years. It argues that the probability of survival by a pedestrian struck at 30 is about 90 percent, compared to 20 if hit by a vehicle going 50. The provincial government, however, points out that municipalities are allowed to alter speed limits so a B.C.-wide change isn’t needed.

Last week, Vancouver council unanimously approved cutting speed limits on local streets to 30. “Local streets” are typically identified as those without centre lines. The City claims lower speed limits will reduce fatality rates significantly. Lower speeds require shorter stopping distances, it says, helping to prevent collisions. As a bonus, lower speeds result in quieter streets and improved air quality.

Vancouver will install new signage, notify neighbourhoods directly and launch a public education program to help make the change.

This is all part of the Vision Zero Action Plan embraced by many cities aimed at reducing roadway fatalities and serious accidents to zero. A lofty goal to say the least. The theory is that if we build roads and streets to a safe enough standard, and enforce a greater level of safe driving, it can be accomplished.

It certainly has to go further than lowering speed limits. Despite what they say about lower limits improving the chances of survival, it remains a fact that the greatest cause of accidents involving vehicles is distracted driving, not speed.

And stringent enforcement is essential. Any driver passing through a school zone knows how easy it is to become impatient. Anyone who drives through a light-controlled intersection knows how many drivers ignore yellow lights and — increasingly — red lights, risking disaster to save a few seconds.

Slashing speed limits within city limits won’t accomplish the goal unless significant investment is made in enforcement against infractions of all kinds. Approaching the idea with caution, through a pilot program (presumably in a single neighbourhood or two), is a wise way to go.

Mel Rothenburger is a former regular contributor to CFJC-TV and CBC radio, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Webster Foundation Commentator of the Year finalist. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.