Speed limits exist for a reason, particularly in residential areas and school zones.
In Prince Rupert, there are a few problematic streets. On the west side, one of these is Sloan. On the east side, there is 11th. Sixth Avenue on both sides is another.
To see people drive on these thoroughfares, well in excess of the 50km/hr limit, you'd think they were highways. And, in a sense they are, as they connect the different parts of the city.
Ultimately, though, they are residential streets where children play and ride their bikes, and people walk their dogs and pull out of their driveways.
Studies have shown that pedestrians have a 90 per cent chance of surviving a collision with a vehicle at 30km/per hour (hence school zone limits).
At the speed limit on the aforementioned streets, the chances of survival are less than 50 per cent.
Furthermore, the rate at which collisions occur increases significantly with speed, meaning at lower speeds, there are fewer.
That is self-evident based on reaction times, the physics of momentum and a vehicle's mechanical abilities.
A very good argument could be made for reducing the speed limit to 40km/hr in these residential areas. Even if everybody doesn't adhere to it, studies have shown reducing speed limits leads to measurable declines in speed and crashes.
Interestingly another study concluded lowering speed limits can have ancillary benefits such as reductions in noise pollution, improvements in air quality and may even promote better mental health for residents.
Chances are a reduction in speed limits won't be coming any time soon.
In the meantime it is the responsible of everybody in the community to keep the community safe.
Just slow down, people.
Quite aside from the potential financial ramifications of a speeding ticket, think about the toll on your conscience if you happened to kill a child.
