City to consider pilot speed limit reduction in neighbourhoods
06
2009
At today’s Transportation and Public Works Committee meeting, Councillors passed a motion to prepare a pilot project to reduce speed limits in three to five neighbourhoods. The pilot will let us evaluate whether lower speed limits could reduce collisions and injuries citywide.
City staff will put together a proposal for the pilot, and Council will decide whether to implement it in March 2010.
I’m a strong supporter of reducing residential speed limits. In March, I attended the International Conference on Urban Traffic Safety, and learned from world experts about the danger posed by speed. If a pedestrian is struck at 50 km/h, the chance of fatality is 90%. At 30 km/h, the chance of fatality is 10%.
Today, the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL) showed Councillors the results of a survey they conducted throughout the city. Results were clear: many Edmontonians think 50 km/h on their neighbourhood streets is too fast.
Reducing the speed limit would bring Edmonton in line with cities like Montreal and Dublin. The best available expert research shows that speed is among the greatest risks to traffic safety, and I think it’s time for Edmonton to recognize this.
I know that some are concerned that lower speed limits would be unenforceable. I understand this concern – as a City, we have to make sure our bylaws don’t demand more than citizens are willing to obey, or we’ll have an enforcement challenge.
I don’t think that should hold us up here, for several reasons:
- First, most Edmontonians obey laws voluntarily. We have proven tools available to educate drivers, and if we combine education and enforcement, I think we can get most drivers to willingly slow down.
- Second, our Community Leagues have made a strong statement that they want this. Neighbourhoods are asking for Council’s help to make their streets safer, and to me, that means we should invest in a solution.
- Lastly, we’re talking about safety. One of the fundamental goals of City bylaws is to provide a safe environment. We may need to balance that with other priorities, but I don’t think we can ignore this responsibility when we have such strong evidence.
Traffic safety is a major priority, and I think this pilot project will be a step in the right direction. Stay tuned for March 2010.
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