Readers Respond: The Pros and Cons of Increasing B.C. Speed Limits

by Keith Morgan on Friday, December 20th, 2013

Increasing the speed limits will only increase risk to all road users, they say…

The blur of a B.C. highway… Photo: Boaz Joseph, Surrey Leader

 

 

Driveway readers have the final word on the posted speed limit poll, conducted in partnership with Insights West.

In that survey it was revealed that 37 percent of those polled believe a higher than 100 km/h limit should be posted on our major highways. The provincial government current review of speed limits has already prompted much public discussion, much of which seemed to support the hiking of limits. With that in mind, we were surprised that the poll showed that 55 percent believed speed limits should be left alone.

Here’s further reaction posted online by readers…

For an increase in limits:

Kmac: “Excessive speed, texting and using a cell phone while driving, driver in attention and driving too fast for the road &/or weather conditions kills. The minimal increase in the speed limits you suggest make sense.”

efi1936: “I think that the Coquihalla should be 130 km/h and the rural part of Highway 1 120km/h.”

lyle: “As stated in your column, it is only excessive speed that kills. However, if two drivers were driving side by side at 100 km/h there would be mass frustration and more accidents.”

CaryAnn: “I think the majority of drivers driving today are totally conscious of their vehicle and surroundings and are very capable of handling the higher speeds.”

DriveSmart: “Maybe the new limit should be displayed on new variable signs so that it can be adjusted downward in darkness and poor driving conditions.”

28speedster: “Here we are in the 21st century driving at the same or lower speed limits than we did with cars in the 1950s with bias ply tires on two-lane highways. New cars, tires, roads are engineered for much higher speeds. A higher speed limit will require drivers to pay attention to their driving.”

Mark: “Being from Germany and having driven faster and safely on the Autobahn, I say it’s about time. When I took my driver’s test, part of the test was on the Autobahn and you had to go 130km/h (weather and local speed limit permitting) NOT to get points against you.”

Comments against an increase:

Dwsolber: “Some drivers have trouble driving safely at current posted speeds. Increasing the speed limits will only increase risk to all road users.”

Dick: “Do not increase speed, what the heck is the hurry? (99 out of 100 already go way faster than the posted speed. Make your ride safe and enjoy the scenery.”

Leah99: “Wildlife (and domestic pets), pedestrians, and vehicles driven by law-abiding people are put at risk by speeders as it is.”

Donna: “There are enough accidents at 110 without increasing the risks.”

Snazzy: “Speeds above 90km/h greatly increase fuel consumption. In addition to lower speeds being safer for drivers, wildlife, it is also important that we consider the planet, and reduce our use of fossil fuels.”

Rosemary: “In BC’s interior, there are many hazardous roads and bad weather conditions, but drivers in general ignore them. If you ‘up’ the speed limit, they will ‘up’ the speeding… What ever happened to safe driving? Like reducing speed at night when visibility is reduced?”

Brian: “People already drive 10 to 20 above the speed limit . . .  if you raise to 120 they will go up to 140.”

Contact: keith [dot] morgan [at] drivewaybc [dot] ca