Residential Speed Limit Pilot

The City of Lethbridge is introducing a pilot project to lower speed limits to 40 km/h in select neighbourhoods. Starting September 15, Paradise Canyons/The Canyons will be the first subdivision to begin the multi-year pilot project. Uplands/Blackwolf and the southern portion of Southgate will be onboarded later this year.

The safety of Lethbridge residents is the City’s top priority. The Transportation Safety Plan recommends reducing residential speed zones to work towards the goal of zero transportation related deaths and serious injury by 2040.

Speed limits are important for ensuring traffic safety. The speed at which vehicles travel significantly influences the frequency and severity of accidents. Lowering speeds in residential areas also creates a more peaceful, quiet and safe environment for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and those who are out enjoying their neighbourhood.

The success of lower residential speed limits has been demonstrated in other municipalities across Canada. By adopting these changes, Lethbridge is aligning with proven strategies for safer streets.

In addition to the residential speed limit pilot project, the City is also introducing the harmonization of school and playground zones beginning September 5, which is another recommendation of the Transportation Safety plan. The harmonization initiative converts all zones to year-round playground zones with a 30 km/hour maximum speed limit from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The Residential Speed Limit Pilot Project will be a multi-year project and data on the pilot areas will be collected throughout the project timeline.

There will be multiple opportunities to give feedback throughout the project. Residents can give input on the pilot project anytime by completing the How has the Residential Speed Limit Pilot affected you? survey or they can visit getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/speed-limit-pilot for more information.

The City of Lethbridge is introducing the neighbourhoods of Uplands/Blackwolf and the southern portion of Southgate Sixmile, into the Residential Speed Limit Pilot Project. The pilot project lowers residential speed limits to 40 km/h in three Lethbridge neighbourhoods. The pilot began on September 15 when speed limits were lowered in Paradise Canyons/The Canyons.

The Residential Speed Limit Pilot Project will be a multi-year project and data on the pilot areas will be collected throughout the project timeline.

There will be multiple opportunities to give feedback throughout the project. Residents can give input on the pilot project anytime by completing the How has the Residential Speed Limit Pilot affected you? survey.

The safety of Lethbridge residents is the City’s top priority. The Transportation Safety Plan recommends reducing residential speed zones to work towards the goal of zero transportation related deaths and serious injury by 2040.

The decision to reduce speeds in some residential neighbourhoods to 40 km/h has been made based on traffic safety best practices, research and data. It has not been done to collect additional speeding fines.

The funds collected through speeding tickets are called Traffic Safety Act revenues. $0.40 of every dollar collected goes to the Provincial Government and $0.60 goes to the City. The portion collected by the City is transferred to a reserve that helps fund traffic safety improvements, reducing the tax dollars needed from residents to complete this important work.

For more information about the project visit: getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/speed-limit-pilot.