On December 14, 2009, Ms. Manon Barbe, executive committee member responsible
for transportation, and Mr. Claude Trudel, executive committee member in charge
of public safety, announced measures to introduce the reduced 40 km/h (from 50 km/h) speed limit on local
residential streets. New signage by sector was implemented first in 2009 in
Lachine, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Rosemont-La Petite Patrie, Saint-Laurent and two
parts of Ville-Marie. The new speed limit is being introduced gradually in all
of Montréal's boroughs between now and the end of 2010. The city will consult
the other 15 reconstituted cities on the island of Montréal to coordinate the
introduction of the new speed limit across the Montréal agglomeration.
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In boroughs where there are already streets with a 40 km/h speed limit, the new signage by sector wuill be installed in order to harmonize this measure across the city. Drivers develop a number of automatic behaviours that make driving easier. Setting the same speed limits in similar road environments helps drivers to understand the desired behaviour more easily, which helps to improve safety. Furthermore, the new signs are more reflective, which makes them more visible.
How does it work?
As a rule, the speed limit will remain at 50 km/h along the main arteries. This limit will apply also to industrial zones, as well as roads where transit priority initiatives are in effect (reserved lanes, bus rapid transit service). The 30-km speed limit will apply to school zones and near parks, as posted.
The sector concept was used as part of the introduction of the 40-km/h speed limit, to reduce the number of signs which would have to be installed. Signs that read MAXIMUM 40 – SECTEUR will be posted at the entrance to a residential sector. Motorists must obey the speed limit until they see another speed-limit sign. When SECTEUR does not appear on a speed-limit sign, the speed limit is only in effect along the road on which the sign is posted.
The new by-law comes into force 90 days after adoption by the borough council:
At all times, motorists must obey signs and speed limits in force.
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Where does the 40-km/h speed limit apply?
The reduced speed limit has been implemented in Lachine, Le Sud-Ouest, Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont - La Petite-Patrie, Saint-Laurent and two sectors of Ville-Marie. The maps below show speed limits for each borough.
will be implemented first in the Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Saint-Laurent, Lachine and Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie boroughs, as well as in two sectors in Ville-Marie.
The new speed limit will be gradually extended to the rest of Montréal boroughs by the end of the year 2010, and measures will be taken with the 15 related municipalities to harmonize the new speed limit throughout the urban agglomeration.
Why is Montréal reducing the speed limit?
The Transportation Plan aims to reduce accidents by 40 per cent by the year 2018. Several measures have already been implemented as part of the 17th annual workshop, which included improving safety at intersections, introducing countdown displays at pedestrian crossings and emphasizing road safety awareness campaigns. These measures have helped significantly to reduce the number of accidents within the urban agglomeration since 2007. In fact, 13 per cent fewer deaths were reported at the end of 2008, all categories included.
The 40-km/h speed limit is one of several measures to improve the quality of living for Montrealers. It will help to reduce the probability and severity of injuries, since the odds of motorists fatally injuring a pedestrian with their vehicle are 70 per cent at 50 km/h and 25 per cent at 40 km/h.
The impact of the new speed limit will be reviewed closely to determine if the goals regarding motorist behaviour and fatality reduction have been achieved. Other appropriate measures may be introduced as per the results and conclusions of this review.