Whereas the current Provincial default speed limit on local roads is 50 kmh, and empirical evidence shows that both the likelihood and severity of collisions - particularly involving vulnerable road users - rise sharply as vehicle speeds increase from 30 kmh to 50 kmh, and as a result reducing vehicle speeds on local roads is a proven strategy to improve safety, enhance livability, reduce social costs, and support increased active transportation mode share; And whereas default speed limits are established by the province, existing legislation obliges municipalities to reduce speed limits via bylaws and requires that municipalities install signed speed-limit reductions on every block of local roads, resulting in substantial financial and administrative burdens on municipalities: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province amend the Motor Vehicle Act to empower municipalities to adopt a default speed limit for unsigned roads within municipal boundaries by bylaw and posting of signs at municipal boundaries, rather than needing to install and maintain signs on every block of every road.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit BCs Motor Vehicle Act sets a default 50 kmh speed limit on highways located within municipal boundaries. Municipalities are authorized to change the speed limit on municipal highways, which they can do by passing a bylaw and erecting signage to notify drivers and make the speed limit enforceable. This model is used by all Canadian provinces as it provides flexibility for municipalities to set speed limits based on community safety needs and other local considerations. Municipalities are currently able to use these powers to implement lower speed limits on a broader community-or neighbourhood-wide basis. Cities such as Vancouver, Victoria, Duncan, Penticton, Surrey and Chilliwack have taken steps in recent years to reduce speed limits on highways within defined areas, while providing exceptions on connector and arterial roads. While this approach involves financial and administrative resources for municipalities to implement, it enables communities to implement reduced speed areas within a community or specific neighbourhoods. The Ministry supports initiatives to improve road safety, especially protections for vulnerable road users, and appreciates the suggestion to establish community-based speed zones without the need for block-by-block signage. Changes like this require careful consideration and research as speed limit rules must be clear and transparent to drivers, be enforceable by police, and consider broader regional factors. Ministry staff are examining this and other potential changes to the Motor Vehicle Act that could improve road safety and support municipal efforts to reduce speed-related collisions.