This project will involve installing new speed limit signs across the City to reduce speed limits to 30 km/hr in residential neighbourhoods and 40 km/hr on Connectors. One major route (Government Street) would remain at 50 km/hour. City staff have mapped out a total of 64 new signs to be installed including new signs at all entrances to the City, which connect the Municipality of North Cowichan, the Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Trans-Canada Highway.

This initiative will be a strong positive step forward for road safety within the City of Duncan which constitutes a significant population of seniors and young families and will also directly support neighbouring Cowichan Tribes (population 5,000+) whose members access services and employment on a daily basis within the City of Duncan.

The City-Wide Speed Reduction Project in the City of Duncan will be a strong positive step forward for road and pedestrian safety within the City of Duncan, which has a significant senior citizen and young families population (overall population 5,000+). This project will also directly support neighbouring Cowichan Tribes (population 5,000+) whose members access services and employment within the City of Duncan on a daily basis. Downtown Duncan is the small business and services community hub of the Cowichan Valley (population 80,000+) and there are many daily visits to the City of Duncan as a result.

For this reason, this project will have a significant positive impact in the community and for the region. Research has shown that reducing speed limits can make streets calmer, quieter, and safer for people walking, biking, waiting for the bus or driving. By slowing down, drivers have more time to react to unexpected situations and this can reduce the number of severe and/or fatal collisions between motor vehicles and other, more vulnerable road users. Travel speeds are the main factor in how serious a crash will be and whether a crash occurs at all. The faster that vehicles travel, the less time there is to react to the unexpected. The risk of death and injury increases significantly as travel speeds increase.

Research shows that a pedestrian struck at 30 km/h has a 90% chance of surviving, while at 50 km/h they have only a 15% chance. Research has also shown that reducing speed limits can greatly increase the chances of survival for those involved in collisions, particularly vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians or cyclists who are not protected by the heavy infrastructure of a vehicle.

Establishing safe vehicle speeds is a key component of a safe and equitable transportation system and the City of Duncan intends to implement a reduction of speed limits across the City in residential neighbourhoods and on collector roads as part of this important initiative to improve road and pedestrian safety for everyone.

Photo source: Pexels. Photo is shown for illustration purposes only and may not be an accurate representation of the project.