NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ESQUIMALT, BC—Speed signs around the township are changing to reflect recent updates to speed limits in Esquimalt. Council passed a bylaw to reduce speed limits earlier this year: major roads in Esquimalt are now 40km/hr and all other roads are 30km/hr with few exceptions.
Reducing speed in key areas was identified on the township’s Active Transportation Network Plan as a priority action. Higher speeds contribute to an increased risk of serious injuries and fatalities by reducing driver reaction time, increasing the vehicle stopping distance, and inflicting more severe trauma on victims upon impact. In contrast, lowered speeds are a major factor in creating a pedestrian and bike-friendly environment. It is expected that reductions to speed limits on township roads will lower vehicle operating speeds, improve road safety and improve neighbourhood livability. The township’s municipal-wide approach means that all streets are either 40 or 30km/hr and provide a consistent application of speeds in the community.
Lowered speed limits also dovetail with other active transportation network improvements completed over the past year, such as an extended network of protected bike lanes, improved pedestrian crossings and new sidewalks.
Some exceptions to the speed changes:
- Colville Rd. between Admirals Rd. & Tillicum Rd. to be 40km/hr;
- Tillicum Rd. between Transfer St. & Colville Rd. to be 40km/hr;
- Admirals Rd. between Esquimalt Rd. & Lyall St. to be 30km/hr;
- Lampson St. between Esquimalt Rd. & Lyall St. to be 30km/hr.
Staff are installing new speed limit signs on major roads, collector roads & school zones plus adding gateway speed limit signs on local roads starting next week. At this time, VicPD will continue the existing plan for traffic monitoring and enforcement.
Find out about our active transportation network plan projects at esquimalt.ca/ActiveTransportation
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