Raise speed limits

bornagainbiking · #1 Posted: **Apr 18, 2012, 10:06 AM**

A Oshawa group is lobbying to raise the speed limit on 400 series highways and as much as 130 kph for the 407.
They cite improved highway design.
Many US states have a 65 or 70 mph on Major interstates.
This concept has merit but driver education must be incorporated as lane discipline would be paramount.
"Slower traffic keep right" yet so many vehicles just get in the left lane and stay there. Forcing vehicles at times to pass on the right.
On the Autobahn the left lane is used to pass and the right lanes are for regular driving.
Just a thought.

Tony · #2 Posted: **Apr 18, 2012, 11:06 AM**

Vehicle safety and highway safety designs have all improved over the past 50 years but the speed limit remains 100kph.

It's probably because so many people's brains are too slow to handle anything faster..

flar · #3 Posted: **Apr 18, 2012, 3:18 PM**

I'd say they should raise it to 110 on well-designed sections, keep it at 100 for sections that are busy or poorly designed. There are a lot of people that can't handle speeds over 120.

They could take away the speed limit on the 407. I drive on it quite a bit and the flow of traffic is often over 120. It's well built, has plenty of lanes and is never congested. For the amount you pay, you should have the privilege of going faster.

eternallyme · #4 Posted: **Apr 18, 2012, 3:29 PM**

I agree that 110 km/h is most reasonable on most 400-series highways. That should apply on all except:

* 402 through Sarnia (currently 70 km/h westbound, should be 90 km/h IMO in both directions)
* 403 through central Hamilton (currently 90 km/h and should remain so)
* 405 (currently 100 km/h, should be 90 km/h IMO due to short length)
* 406 through central St. Catharines (currently 80 km/h and should remain so)
* 409 (currently 100 km/h, should be 90 km/h IMO)
* 417 through central Ottawa (currently 100 km/h, should be 90 km/h IMO)
* 420 freeway section (currently 100 km/h, should be 80 km/h IMO)

In addition, all major highways in northern Ontario that are currently 90 km/h, except where design standards dictate otherwise, should be increased to 100 km/h. All other highways in northern Ontario (defined as Northeast and Northwest Regions of MTO and any other areas north of the Severn River), except where design standards dictate otherwise, should be increased to 90 km/h.

Some major highways in southern Ontario that are currently 80 should also be increased to 90 km/h. However, a blanket increase may not be ideal.

Doug · #5 Posted: **Apr 18, 2012, 3:34 PM**

110 km/h speed limits are common place in Alberta. Sections of highway within Calgary city limits are 110. Outside Alberta, I have only seen 110 in BC and SK.

Many US states have 75 mph limits. TX and UT have some 80 moh (130 kmh) limits.

eternallyme · #6 Posted: **Apr 18, 2012, 3:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

110 km/h speed limits are common place in Alberta. Sections of highway within Calgary city limits are 110. Outside Alberta, I have only seen 110 in BC and SK.

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are also 110 on major freeways. Manitoba has tested with it on a few sections but not expanded it that I know of.

haljackey · #7 Posted: **Apr 18, 2012, 4:06 PM**

Most sections of the 400 series have a design speed of 130km/h. That's why you feel like you're going slow in it at 100. People feel more comfortable going faster, even if they're breaking the law.

I'd like to see rural sections of the 400 series posted at 120, urban segments should stay at 100 or possibly 110. Exceptions can be made for the segments eternallyme noted.

go_leafs_go02 · #8 Posted: **Apr 18, 2012, 5:01 PM**

http://www.am980.ca/channels/news/lo...spx?ID=1688842

Screeeech!!!!

Not happening, although the province's justification is certainly laughable.

Blitz · #9 Posted: **Apr 18, 2012, 7:03 PM**

Police don't seem to start ticketing until 120 km/h anyway. I'm on Hwy 401 in southwestern Ontario all the time...everyone drives about 115 km/h and I've driven past dozens of police radar traps at that speed.

vid · #10 Posted: **Apr 18, 2012, 11:49 PM**

Just get rid of the speed limit and charge anyone who is going noticeable slower or faster than everyone else, because they're the ones that cause the accidents.

Very few Northern Ontario highways are built to a standard that allows speed limits above 90km/h. On the highways that are up to standard, the intersections are so close together that you can't actually reach 90km/h on them unless you have a powerful vehicle, let alone 100km/h. I don't think transports would be able to reach 100km/h on many sections of highway up here either. They're too winding.

haljackey · #11 Posted: **Apr 19, 2012, 1:23 AM**

Yes but on the 400-Series it shouldn't be an issue.

In the US many sections of Interstate Highway have a specific speed limit posted for trucks, usually 5-10 MPH slower.

During my travels in France, they actually have a multiple speed limit sign on most of their Autoroutes. Something like:

130 in clear conditions
110 in rain
80 in fog / hazardous driving conditions

We could do something similar here, as our roadways tend to be more slippery in the wintertime, even with salt and sand.

Blitz · #12 Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 1:47 AM**

Maybe that's a reason why they're reluctant to raise them to 110, even in rural areas. The weather can change so quickly especially in the southwest with the snowsqualls.

Chadillaccc · #13 Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 4:20 AM**

The Coquihalla in BC is 110 km/h

and this is a fucking MOUNTAIN highway.

eternallyme · #14 Posted: **Apr 20, 2012, 10:56 PM**

Premier Dad needs to go.

Come on Andrea, pull the plug!

sonysnob · #15 Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 3:52 PM**

I have to question the timing of this push to raise the speed limits. With the current minority government having trouble pushing a budget through, no matter what the merits of raising the speed limit are, no political party would be willing to take on such a relatively unimportant issue such as speed limit increases right now.

@eternallyme ... what's with the proposed speed reductions? Specifically with the Ottawa Queensway. It's not the best designed urban road in the province, but its certainly on par with roads older segments of the QEW for example. Same with the 409.

eternallyme · #16 Posted: **Apr 23, 2012, 9:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonysnob

I have to question the timing of this push to raise the speed limits. With the current minority government having trouble pushing a budget through, no matter what the merits of raising the speed limit are, no political party would be willing to take on such a relatively unimportant issue such as speed limit increases right now.

@eternallyme ... what's with the proposed speed reductions? Specifically with the Ottawa Queensway. It's not the best designed urban road in the province, but its certainly on par with roads older segments of the QEW for example. Same with the 409.

True, but those roads seem tighter than most of the QEW, except the urban portion now in City of Toronto hands. The 409 might be able to at least stay at 100 km/h though despite its short length.

The 417 through downtown Ottawa is, IMO, the most deserving of a speed downgrade - it seems more suitable for 90 km/h IMO and on par with the 403 through Hamilton, given the many short entrances, weaving and sight distance.

eternallyme · #17 Posted: **Apr 24, 2012, 9:20 PM**

If Ontario wanted to test out higher speed limits, once completed, I think Highway 400 from Barrie to Sudbury and (if upgraded to a full freeway) Highway 11 from Gravenhurst to North Bay would be ideal places to do it.

Wharn · #18 Posted: **Apr 25, 2012, 4:04 AM**

Speaking of speed limits, thank god this miserable proposal got shot down:

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/04...on-in-toronto/

The City of Toronto is already over-policed as it is, the last thing we needed was for it to be over-policed with ridiculously low speed limits. I'm glad to see Stintz (in other articles) also speaking out against the widespread use of speedbumps. No better way to delay emergency vehicles or prematurely kill your shocks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by go_leafs_go02

http://www.am980.ca/channels/news/lo...spx?ID=1688842

Screeeech!!!!

Not happening, although the province's justification is certainly laughable.

If the province is so adamant about traffic fatalities, perhaps they could amend our laughable licensing system? Both the G2 and G tests were stupidly easy, and vehicle aren't even required to pass a safety test as a part of the renewal process. They could address those things, but I think they actually prefer just ticketing people for revenue instead.

If it were up to me I would abolish rural speed limits altogether, provided those two issues were taken care of. If you put skilled drivers on the road, they will learn the upper limits of their cars and their own abilities. But if that's not possible, then a limit of 130 km/h is an acceptable compromise. 100 km/h is an appropriate urban speed limit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flar

I'd say they should raise it to 110 on well-designed sections, keep it at 100 for sections that are busy or poorly designed. There are a lot of people that can't handle speeds over 120.

They probably shouldn't be driving. Honestly, 120 isn't even that fast. If you can't maintain that speed safely, then either your car isn't roadworthy or you're not fit to hold a license. I can actually think of half a dozen people right now who would fall into either category.

flar · #19 Posted: **Apr 25, 2012, 3:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wharn

S

If it were up to me I would abolish rural speed limits altogether, provided those two issues were taken care of. If you put skilled drivers on the road, they will learn the upper limits of their cars and their own abilities. But if that's not possible, then a limit of 130 km/h is an acceptable compromise. 100 km/h is an appropriate urban speed limit.

I wouldn't get rid of rural speed limits. A lot of those roads weren't designed for those speeds and have broken or uneven pavement. But a more important reason is that people live on those roads, it would be unsafe to get out of your driveway with someone barreling down the road at 130.
A lot more pets would be killed, and head-on collisions would be almost guaranteed fatal at those speeds. Slow moving farm vehicles would also be a hazard at those speeds.

Wharn · #20 Posted: **Apr 25, 2012, 3:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by flar

I wouldn't get rid of rural speed limits. A lot of those roads weren't designed for those speeds and have broken or uneven pavement. But a more important reason is that people live on those roads, it would be unsafe to get out of your driveway with someone barreling down the road at 130.
A lot more pets would be killed, and head-on collisions would be almost guaranteed fatal at those speeds. Slow moving farm vehicles would also be a hazard at those speeds.

I should probably clarify- I meant rural speed limits on 400-series Highways. For example, the 401 between Manning Road and Highway 402 would have no limit (maybe with a small 100 zone through the edge of Tilbury), and then again from The Westchester Bourne to Woodstock, there would be no limit.

I absolutely agree that the old, narrow concession roads need a fairly low speed limit, probably 60 km/h. Concessions that have been upgraded to the point where they're able to compete with (or have become) King's Highways need limits in the 80-90 km/h range. Collision speed does not really factor into things here; your chances of surviving a serious crash at 90 km/h are already so slim that any increase in speed beyond that is trivial. You're already dead, so you may as well enjoy the ride. But, having lower speeds does improve reaction time and helps avoid collisions at points of conflict, eg driveways or intersections where 15-passenger vans do not stop.