Supporting Vancouvers Initiative to Empower Cities to Set Lower, Safer Speed Zones on Some Local Streets

Whereas the Motor Vehicle Act MVA currently stipulates a speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour kmh within city limits in British Columbia municipalities; And whereas the probability of pedestrian survival is only 20 if struck by a motor vehicle travelling at 50 kmh, yet the expected survival rate rises to 90 if vehicle speed is reduced to 30 kmh; And whereas limiting car speed to 30 kmh in residential areas better supports road-sharing with public transit and active transportation modes such as cycling and walking, helps discourage rat-running behaviour by drivers, and improves the safety of children, seniors, and the disabled on our streets; And whereas lowering the standard speed limit to 30 kmh within city limits for local no centre line streets advances the goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries that has been set by the BC Road Safety Strategy, is supported by the BC Community Road Safety Toolkit, and would enact a key recommendation of the Provincial Health Officers 2016 Annual Report for saving lives in BC; And whereas the BC-based Road Safety Law Reform Group, in its position paper June 2016 on Modernizing the BC Motor Vehicle Act, specifically recommends: 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 on 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 to institute blanket speed zones, tailored to their specific local needs and objectives, in residential areas.