There are no plans to reduce the speed limit to 40 km/h from 50 km/h on residential streets across the province, Transportation Minister Steve Del Duca office says.

Del Duca was shooting down earlier reports — based on an interview with Community Safety Minister Yasir Naqvi in Ottawa — that an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act could be introduced as early as this fall that would lower the default speed.

“Minister Del Duca has heard from MPP Naqvi on this issue and is always happy to consider suggestions from MPP colleagues. But there are currently no plans to change the default speed,” an email statement from Del Duca’s office said.

Just the same Naqvi told the Star he wants the Liberal government to put the brakes on speed limits along residential streets across the province.

“During the last election campaign . . . I promised that, if re-elected, I would continue to work with Ottawa Centre’s residents and community associations, and the Ministry of Transportation to reduce the default speed limit to 40 km/h on residential streets and 30 km/h in school zones,” Naqvi said in an email statement.

“As a dad and as MPP for Ottawa Centre, protecting our kids and making sure they are safe is extremely important to me. I know the same is true for many in my community,” he said.

In Toronto, there has been pressure on city council to lower the default speed limits on residential streets.

Toronto’s chief medical officer Dr. David McKeown in 2012 advocated a 30 km/h speed limit on residential streets and “a citywide speed limit of 40 km/h on all other streets” to reduce the severity of injuries to pedestrians and cyclists.

McKeown made the proposals upon the release of a $45,000 report, “Road to Health: Improving Walking and Cycling in Toronto,” which cited evidence that pedestrians are far less likely to be killed for every 10 km/h reduction below 60 km/h.

“Small increases in traffic speeds results in a disproportionately large increase in pedestrian fatalities,” McKeown wrote.

According to the World Health Organization, almost 50 per cent of pedestrian deaths occur when the car is travelling at 50 km/h. At 80 km/h, the odds of survival are close to nil. But at 30 km/h or slower, more than 90 per cent of those struck make it out alive.

The Star previously reported that reducing deaths is one reason cities such as Paris have put in place, or are pushing for, nearly citywide 30 km/h speed limits. And not only that, say advocates: a 30 km/h limit reduces congestion and energy costs, is environmentally friendly and strengthens a sense of community.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Read more about: