Whereas currently, the Motor Vehicle Act MVA stipulates a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour kmh within city limits; And whereas the probability of pedestrian survival is about 90 if struck by a motor vehicle travelling at 30 kmh, while survival is reduced to 20 if struck by a motor vehicle travelling at 50 kmh; And whereas lower speed limits are more compatible with active transportation, and create safer, better engaged, healthier and more inclusive communities; And whereas in 2015, the BC Road Safety Strategy set out the goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries and discussed safe speeds. In 2016, the Provincial Health Officers Annual Report also recommended a 30 kmh speed limit in urban areas; And whereas in June 2016, as part of its position paper, Modernizing the BC Motor Vehicle Act, the British Columbia-based Road Safety Law Reform Group recommended: A default provincial speed limit of 30 kmh for local no centre line streets should be included in the Motor Vehicle Act, with municipalities enabled to increase speed limits on local streets in a case by-case basis by by-law and posted signage.: Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure be asked to consider an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act that would allow incorporated municipalities and regional districts to institute blanket speed zones in residential areas.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Government is committed to keeping our roads safe and speed limits play an important role. The BC Motor Vehicle Act MVA establishes the basic or statutory speed limit on all public roads: 80kmh outside municipalities and 50kmh within municipalities. Municipalities can alter speed limits within their communities through the implementation of by-laws. If a municipality lowers a speed limit, they must use traffic signs to define the new speed limit throughout each area selected to both inform drivers of the speed limit and to enable enforcement of speed related offences. The Ministry is aware that some communities have already adopted lower speed limits, and that others are considering their adoption. The Ministry will continue to engage with interested local governments and provide support respecting municipal speed limits to ensure road safety while acknowledging all road users. For example, earlier this year, the City of Campbell River introduced trial 40 kmh speed limit in two residential areas for improved safety and livability i.e. to encourage active transportation. The Ministry is not planning changes to the MVA to redefine the statutory speed limit; however, as part of our active transportation strategy, the Ministry has committed to review legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks including the MVA to acknowledge all road users and emerging active transportation modes.