Speed limits reduced at six York Region locations
Speed limits have been reduced at six locations on various York Regional roads, including one in Whitchurch-Stouffville, in a bid to minimize severe collisions and improve public safety.
“Lower speed limits help protect all travellers and promote a safer road environment for cyclists and pedestrians,” York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson says of the changes approved by York Regional Council.
“As more people are walking, cycling, taking transit or driving in and across our growing communities, it is important to review and adjust speed limits appropriately,” he adds.
The speed limit on Ninth Line from 100 metres north of Bethesda Road (south intersection) to 564 metres south of Bloomington Road in Whitchurch-Stouffville has been reduced from 70 to 60 kilometres per hour. In the Town of Georgina, the speed limit on Woodbine Avenue from Metro Road North to Lake Drive East has gone from 50 to 30 kilometres per hour.
The speed limit has been reduced from 80 to 70 kilometres per hour in three locations in the Township of King: Weston Road from 210 metres north of King Road to 80 metres south of 16th Sideroad; Dufferin Street from Lloydtown-Aurora Road/18th Sideroad to 325 metres north of Wellington Street West; and Dufferin Street from 145 metres south of Wellington Street West to 15th Sideroad.
Also in King, the speed limit on Hwy. 27 from 230 metres south of Oliver Emerson Avenue to 100 metres south of King-Vaughan Road has dropped from 70 to 60 kilometres per hour.
Speed limit signs are placed at the beginning of each changed speed zone and for the first 60 to 90 days, include a sign on top with the word “NEW” to notify travellers of the changes.
The York Region Vision Zero Traveller Safety Plan, approved by Regional Council in March 2024 to reduce severe collisions and create safer travel in the Region, identifies speeding as a contributing factor in aggressive driving behaviours leading to collisions.
“Protecting vulnerable road users is crucial as these travellers are more likely to sustain injury or death if involved in a collision,” says Town of Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas, chair of the Region’s Public Works Transportation Services. “Consistent speed limits encourage compliance and improve safety for everyone travelling on Regional roads with minimal impact to travel time.”
Speed limit revisions are recommended and approved based on principles, including industry standards and criteria in the Region’s Establishing Speed Limits on Regional Roads Policy, which guides decisions for a consistent approach. Regional Council has authority to revise speed limits under 100 kilometres per hour under the Highway Traffic Act.
Visit york.ca/TrafficSafety to learn more about traffic safety measures.
Photo courtesy of York Region.