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.
