Reducing speed limits on residential streets

Staff have begun a review looking at reducing the speed limit in residential neighbourhoods from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

Studies show that speeding is a significant contributing factor leading to severe injuries and fatal collisions worldwide. The likelihood of survival in a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian is approximately 15 per cent when the vehicle is travelling at 50 km/h. However, the likelihood of survival increases to 75 per cent when the vehicle is travelling at 40 km/h or below.

Higher speeds not only increase the risk of severe injuries and fatal collisions, but also increase the risk of a collision happening in the first place. Higher speeds increase the distance required to stop safely by reducing both the braking time and the driver’s reaction time available to prevent a collision from happening. A stopping distance of approximately 85 metres is required for a vehicle travelling at 60 km/h, 63 metres for a vehicle travelling at 50 km/h, and 45 metres for a vehicle travelling at 40 km/h.

City arterial roads and regional roads which move large volumes of people and goods are not included in this review. Examples of local residential neighbourhood roads included in the review are Eastbridge Boulevard, Westvale Drive, Keats Way, and Northlake Drive, to name a few. Examples of roads not included in the review include Columbia Street, Weber Street, Westmount Road and Fischer-Hallman Road.

Project update

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this study. The review is now complete and staff are leaving the lowered speed limit signs in place. We encourage you to visit our transportation master plan project to learn more about initiatives planned for neighbourhoods and streets across Waterloo.