New speed limits in residential areas aim to slow motorists and improve neighbourhood road safety

Kingston residents are reminded to slow down as signs posting reduced speed limits are installed in residential areas around the city.

The speed limit is being reduced to 40 km/h along most residential roads, indicated by new speed limit signs installed at neighbourhood entry and exit points. Directly in front of schools along local roads, the speed limit will be further reduced to 30 km/h.

Driving at an appropriate speed reduces the likelihood of a collision and injury severity if a collision does occur. The probability of a fatal outcome is significantly lower for a pedestrian involved in a collision with a vehicle travelling at a speed below 40 km/h compared to a vehicle travelling at 50 km/h, which is the current unsigned speed limit in Ontario.

Kingston uses a variety of municipally led programs to improve road safety, including Automated Speed Enforcement, traffic calming, pedestrian crossings, school area safety education, and cycling infrastructure projects. The new neighbourhood area speed limits are an additional tool to help reduce the number of collisions and serious injuries that can result from higher vehicle speeds.

“These new speed limits are about prioritizing safety for everyone and ensuring a consistent approach across urban neighbourhoods in the city,” says Matt Kussin, Transportation Policy and Programs Manager at the City of Kingston. “Slowing down increases your field of vision and gives you more time to react to your fellow road users.”

The first phase of this large multi-phase project involves implementing area speed limits in approximately 25 neighbourhoods with schools over the next year and a half. Installations are currently underway in three neighbourhoods – Woodhaven, Waterloo Village and Hillendale – with installations to follow in Rideau Heights, Marker’s Acres, Kingscourt, Henderson, Auden Park and Reddendale later this summer.

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