Increasing the speed limits will only increase risk to all road users, they say…

The blur of a B.C. highway... Photo: Boaz Joseph, Surrey Leader
The blur of a B.C. highway… Photo: Boaz Joseph, Surrey Leader

Driveway readers have the final word on the posted speed limit poll, conducted in partnership with Insights West.

In that survey it was revealed that 37 percent of those polled believe a higher than 100 km/h limit should be posted on our major highways. The provincial government current review of speed limits has already prompted much public discussion, much of which seemed to support the hiking of limits. With that in mind, we were surprised that the poll showed that 55 percent believed speed limits should be left alone.

Here’s further reaction posted online by readers…

For an increase in limits:

Kmac: “Excessive speed, texting and using a cell phone while driving, driver in attention and driving too fast for the road &/or weather conditions kills. The minimal increase in the speed limits you suggest make sense.”

efi1936: “I think that the Coquihalla should be 130 km/h and the rural part of Highway 1 120km/h.”

lyle: “As stated in your column, it is only excessive speed that kills. However, if two drivers were driving side by side at 100 km/h there would be mass frustration and more accidents.”

CaryAnn: “I think the majority of drivers driving today are totally conscious of their vehicle and surroundings and are very capable of handling the higher speeds.”

DriveSmart: “Maybe the new limit should be displayed on new variable signs so that it can be adjusted downward in darkness and poor driving conditions.”

28speedster: “Here we are in the 21st century driving at the same or lower speed limits than we did with cars in the 1950s with bias ply tires on two-lane highways. New cars, tires, roads are engineered for much higher speeds. A higher speed limit will require drivers to pay attention to their driving.”

Mark: “Being from Germany and having driven faster and safely on the Autobahn, I say it’s about time. When I took my driver’s test, part of the test was on the Autobahn and you had to go 130km/h (weather and local speed limit permitting) NOT to get points against you.”

Comments against an increase:

Dwsolber: “Some drivers have trouble driving safely at current posted speeds. Increasing the speed limits will only increase risk to all road users.”

Dick: “Do not increase speed, what the heck is the hurry? (99 out of 100 already go way faster than the posted speed. Make your ride safe and enjoy the scenery.”

Leah99: “Wildlife (and domestic pets), pedestrians, and vehicles driven by law-abiding people are put at risk by speeders as it is.”

Donna: “There are enough accidents at 110 without increasing the risks.”

Snazzy: “Speeds above 90km/h greatly increase fuel consumption. In addition to lower speeds being safer for drivers, wildlife, it is also important that we consider the planet, and reduce our use of fossil fuels.”

Rosemary: “In BC’s interior, there are many hazardous roads and bad weather conditions, but drivers in general ignore them. If you ‘up’ the speed limit, they will ‘up’ the speeding… What ever happened to safe driving? Like reducing speed at night when visibility is reduced?”

Brian: “People already drive 10 to 20 above the speed limit . . .  if you raise to 120 they will go up to 140.”

Contact: keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca

9 thoughts on “Readers Respond: The Pros and Cons of Increasing B.C. Speed Limits

    rene qualizza says:

    Do not increase the speed limits. For years the cops and ICBC have cautioned people that SPEED KILLS. Seriously, what is the hurry. As per another comment, many drivers already go well over the limits. So, there is no point in wasting taxpayers money because if you raise it people will go even faster. Increase to medical costs, ICBC rates will go up because more crashes will happen. Hmmmm…doesnt sound so smart. Leave the limits alone or maybe even decrease the limits. Merry Xmas and drive safe everyone!!!

    ROBERT S.D. CHOWN says:

    THANKS FOR THIS SITE! CHRISTMAS DAY.
    I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE 10% OR SO OF DRIVERS WHO GIVE NOT A CARE TO OTHER ROAD USERS.
    90k PER HOUR OUT FROM RED LIGHTS ON GRANVILLE AND OTHER MAIN STREETS IS COMMON THROUGHOUT VANCOUVER. OAK ST. BRIDGE IS A FREEWAY.
    IN JUNE THE UBCM (BC TOWNS) DEBATED AND ALMOST PASSED A RESOLUTION FROM VICTORIA. 49.6 TO 50.4 AGAINST!!! SOO CLOSE!

    I WAS AMAZED AND DELIGHTED!
    THE RESOLUTION: MAKE THE BC DEFAULT OR BASIC SPEED LIMIT DOWN FROM 50kmh to 40 kmh.

    PLEASE THINK ABOUT THE CHANGES THAT THIS MIGHT MAKE TO VEHICLE OPERATOR BEHAVIOUR IN BC.
    DEATHS DOWN, INJURIES LESS, CRASHES FEWER AND THE COSTS HAVE TO DROP ALONG WITH AIR POLLUTION.
    TAKE A GUESS AT HOW MANY CRASHES THERE WERE PER DAY IN THE METRO VANCOUVER AREA IN 2012.
    IT IS POSITIVELY DISGUSTING.
    I HOPE TO WRITE E AND SNAIL MAILS IN EARLY 2014 TO REDUCE THE DEFAULT BC SPEED LIMIT.
    IF YOU GET A CHANCE PLEAS, PLEASE, ENCOURAGE VARIOUS BC GOVERNMENTS TO OPT IN.
    AND YES, PLEASE DON’T INCREASE SPEED LIMITS.
    RURAL DRIVERS, RELAX AND ENJOY THE DRIVE AND MAYBE LIVE A LITTLE LONGER.
    ALL THE BEST TO ALL THOSE GOOD DRIVERS OUT THERE, YOU DO HELP TO SLOW THE “IDIOTS” DOWN A BIT.
    HAVE A HAPPY, SAFE 2014!
    BOB

    Gear head says:

    Increasing speed limits have terrible implications such as those already mentioned by others, increased medical costs from accidents, unnecessary deaths. The juvenile thinking of the person responsible for this decision would not claim responsibility for the aftermath, most importantly deaths from accidents and least importantly, costs paid by the responsible driver’s out there that don’t speed regardless of the speed limit.

    Chester says:

    Yeah, what is the BIG rush? I read on another site that the limits were lowered in the 90’s so consumers would use less fuel due to oil crisis. So what’s changed? Speed mongers are a danger to us sensible drivers. The problem with Common Sense? Ain’t too common anymore. How about teaching drivers to be patient, tolerate & courteous?

    Donna C. says:

    I drove part way from Home Okanagan Area to Vancouver and couldn’t believe the speen limits in BC had changed so fast. The Government does not do a Poll before decisions are made for speed limit changes.**They already had all the speed limit “Signs” made so obviously they made the decision—-without our say?? I drove as high as the 110 & that was enough. I did try the 120–and not happening—not feeling comfortable. As far as I am concerned should of left it the way it was–cause now all the no-mine’s drive even faster– 20klm over the 120—Dah!! Major accidents will happen and ICBC will just love the work. What is with the Government—Do we have one??

    Ron Sims says:

    We should NOT even think about increasing the speed limits. These idiots who would want to do 150 Km per hour in their Audis and Porsches are the same types who probably do it with their cellphone in their hand. And the reality is, right or wrong, that we have folks out their doing 90 and 100 km per hour in the middle lane. The speed difference would be too great. No, things are just fine the way they are.

    Terry says:

    Just returned from a trip to Alberta with the new higher speed limits. I found that some of the unmarked corners on the 2 lane stretches of Hwy 1 were uncomfortable at the higher speed. Passengers were getting motion sickness from being tossed from side to side. Should prove interesting this winter when it gets icy. My trip from Vernon to Edmonton was approx. 20 min shorter and I paid for it in fuel consumption. What is 20 min in a 10 to 11 hour trip? In my opinion, none of the 2 lane sections of any highway in BC should be higher than 90 kph. In the Okanagan we have a 4 lane hwy between Vernon and Kelowna, with mostly controlled access and it is still posted at 90kph(until the center barriers are installed). Between Vernon and Armstrong it is 4 lanes and is posted at 100kph(no center barrier). Between Armstrong and Enderby it is TWO LANE with private driveway accesses and farm equipment using the road and it is posted at 100 kph? What’s up with that??? Not even a trans Canada route! Lower the limits and we can all live longer and enjoy the drive!

    richard pugh says:

    driving to Penticton- the speed limit was 100. but cars passed me way over the limit. increasing the speed limit to 120 is insane.
    carnage on the highways will be the norm.

    Terry says:

    Snazzy is wrong! The engines in our vehicles today are built for high revs, therefore you will get better gas mileage and increase your power the faster you drive.
    Terry

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