Three Edmonton neighbourhoods could soon have speed limits reduced permanently after a pilot project done last year.
The trial was done in 6 neighbourhoods and saw the speed limit drop to 40 km/h. It resulted in a 25% drop in severe injuries from collisions.
The pilot project was followed up with a survey of residents. 3 of the neighbourhods, Woodcroft, Ottewell and King Edward Park, wanted it to stay at 40. So the report recommends permanently changing the speed limit in those areas to 40 km/hr.
The other 3 neighbourhoods came back with mixed reviews, like those of resident Chris Schroter.
“Most people tend to drive slow anyways,” he tells Global News, “the roads aren't that wide. I just don't think it'll make a big difference.”
So the report recommends returning to 50 km/hr in those neighbourhoods, much to the disappointment of those looking for change.
“Our preference would have been a cleaner solution, just go to the 40,” says Allan Bolstad of the Federation of Community Leagues, “recognizing that 60% of all the citizens polled through this exercise in the 6 neighbourhoods wanted to go with 40 KM/H. So we thought let’s go with what the majority say and try to make our streets safer and have fewer accidents.
“I'm hoping, eventually, everybody will understand this is the kind of standard that is about safety in our neighbourhoods and safety on our streets,” explains councilor Ben Henderson, “but we also need to understand which roads it makes sense and what roads it might not make sense because there aren’t the kind of conflicts that might not be there so 50 km/hr is just fine.
Council will hear the issue October 26th
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