Drivers should prepare for slower speed limits
It would seem council has the drive to slow vehicles down in some parts of the city.
It would seem council has the drive to slow vehicles down in some parts of the city.
At Monday’s city council meeting, members took the first step forward by passing first and second readings on changes to the traffic bylaw.
The alterations would lower speed limits on Miles Canyon Road and in the McIntyre subdivision.
On the Miles Canyon Road, the speed limit would be reduced to 40 kilometres an hour from the current 50 km/h speed limit.
Meanwhile, those driving through the McIntyre subdivision would have to slow down to 30 km/h from the current 35 km/h.
The change to the Miles Canyon Road comes out of the Schwatka Lake Management Plan, adopted in March. It included a recommendation that the speed limit be decreased to 30 km/h.
That recommendation was “in response to concerns raised for pedestrian and cyclist safety,” as it was noted in a report to council.
While the Schwatka Lake Area Plan proposes the 30 km/h speed limit, after additional consultation was held last April, the proposed bylaw was drafted for a 40 km/h limit given the extent of the road.
“The (city’s traffic) committee agreed with the suggested 40 km per hour speed limit over the entire length of the Miles Canyon (Road) on the grounds that the change would help to provide improved safety and continuity along the entire length of the road,” Linda Rapp, the city’s director of community and recreation services, stated in the earlier report to council.
Meanwhile, the changes to the McIntyre subdivision come from a request the Kwanlin Dün First Nation made earlier this year, which the city’s traffic committee also supported.
Along with the speed limit changes on Miles Canyon Road and in McIntyre, the bylaw would also be amended to reflect the 60 km/h limit on Whistle Bend Way between Mountainview Drive and Casca Boulevard.
While the speed limit there had already been set when the road was opened, the bylaw wording had not yet been changed to reflect the limit.
Third reading of the bylaw will come forward in the new year.
Comments (13)
Up 4 Down 2
Miles Canyon Road on Dec 23, 2015 at 3:55 pm
Miles Canyon Road could be closed to vehicular traffic, except for tour buses to the bridge, and opened up as a rec area. It is a most wonderful spot when the road is closed.
Up 6 Down 2
Max Mack on Dec 23, 2015 at 11:08 am
Miles Canyon Road was not designed for pedestrians or cyclists. I understand the perceived need to reduce the speed limit "for safety reasons", but the reality is that, by doing so, the City is encouraging pedestrians and cyclists to use a road that is inherently dangerous for that purpose.
I believe 40km/hr is too slow for much of the road's length. Perversely, this will effectively force drivers to break the new speed limit.
Safety for pedestrians and cyclists is not enhanced by the rule change (arguably, worsened by the false security of improved safety), and drivers are now faced with the possibility of speeding tickets or criminal charges if a pedestrian/cyclist is struck.
Up 14 Down 26
north_of_60 on Dec 19, 2015 at 9:32 pm
@Driver with children:
"one driver who insists on tailgating numerous people, not signaling and speeding on a daily basis. I'm sure many other people have noticed the white ford pickup with striped decals on the side."
Someone driving dangerously is likely driving impaired, from one thing or another. Get their tag number and turn them into the 'impaired driving hotline'.
Up 8 Down 2
Miles Canyon on Dec 19, 2015 at 8:33 pm
Tickets don't work either JC. Something positive might be nice too--how do we get people to abide when consequences don't work? As for being pulled over, if more enforcement happened, period, people would slow down. They would also be more careful about cell phones and texting, seat belts, etc. Enforcement, consequences and some positive reinforcement. And for those of you who say it can't work, maybe the public needs to be more diligent about reporting poor drivers who speed. I get their licence number and call it in when I am no longer driving.
Up 19 Down 6
concerned on Dec 19, 2015 at 6:59 pm
While they are changing the speed limits they may as well change "Hamilton Blvd" to Hamilton Race Track!!!! PPL coming down or going up past Elijah Smith School race! I've been cut off by idiots flying up the road so many times.
Up 23 Down 0
SJ on Dec 19, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Just a thought HOW ABOUT ENFORCING THE ONE ALREADY THERE!!!!!!
Up 11 Down 3
jc on Dec 18, 2015 at 7:11 pm
Miles Canyon is a rec road: Why would you want the police to pull people over and give them a gift for doing the speed limit. Kind of a dumb idea. Any idea what a thing like that does to a driver when he/she is pulled over. Stress limit/heart rate goes ballistic. Certainly not worth a smile and cheap gift from a cop.
Up 22 Down 13
Driver with children on Dec 18, 2015 at 4:04 pm
As already mentioned, reducing the speed limit only works if people abide, and punishment is given to those who don't.
Right now driving to work down 2-mile at 8:10 I am genuinely concerned with the reckless driving of people and the clear lack of enforcement. I have had to actively avoid an accident on numerous occasions because of one driver who insists on tailgating numerous people, not signaling and speeding on a daily basis. I'm sure many other people have noticed the white ford pickup with striped decals on the side. It's getting to the point where I have to start leaving my house at a different time or take action into my own hands.
As a concerned driver I wish the police at least made some sort of presence during rush hour, when driving habits are at their worst. Bad driving habits are not subtle, it's obvious there are dangerous drivers out there. Sometimes I don't think action will be taken until someone is innocently killed.
Up 12 Down 17
Miles Canyon road is a rec road on Dec 18, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Miles Canyon road is used by lots of people exercising (dog walkers, cyclists, runners). Majority of people zooming through there are just kinda joyriding, so I would be in favour of the 30 km speed because it's dangerous otherwise.
As for places where speed is a factor, 2nd, 3rd and 4th downtown, and Hamilton Blvd. And I think way more enforcement (tickets) as well as maybe pull a few people over and give them a little present for following the speed limit. They have done that in the States and positive reinforcement is also very valuable, not just consequences.
Up 12 Down 16
Change speed limits on Dec 18, 2015 at 10:36 am
Why not change the speed limit from the corner at Days Inn to past the school on fourth to 30K because that is the most dangerous piece of road.
Up 41 Down 4
BnR on Dec 18, 2015 at 6:44 am
We have speed limits now that no one seems to obey, so what's the point?
Up 12 Down 2
BillW on Dec 18, 2015 at 3:17 am
If you want to slow traffic down on these two roads then have the City put in those DA traffic circles like they have in the neighborhoods. They slow down the traffic all right but they do little for already cramped parking in spots. Brilliant!
Up 31 Down 3
Groucho d'North on Dec 17, 2015 at 6:12 pm
I hope there will be some stepped up enforcement to go with the new speed signs, otherwise: same as it ever was, same as it ever was.