| Why is the speed limit in Canada on highways only 100 kph? I know I can drive faster in the US (70-75mph) and not get ticketed. It should be at least 110kph (68mph) like the UK. I know I've read online that the the reason for these limits were that it was a cause of lower accidents. How true is this in your opinion? Any studies done? |
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 Link LoggerPremium,MVM
join:2001-03-29
Calgary, AB
kudos:3 | Come to Calgary and try driving on the Deerfoot at only 110 kph, now if you use mph then people will still be passing you, but slower.
It might be a leftover from the gas crunch and no doubt reduces accidents or damages/injuries/etc from accidents.
I'd love to meet someone who say they can drive fast safely as I'd like to examine their optic nerve and visual cortex as I'm betting it smells like BS
Blake
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Vendor: Author of Link Logger which is a traffic analysis and firewall logging tool |
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| reply to willzzz
I was driving 110kph in Toronto, didn't go over that as I used the usual 10mph/kph over rule. |
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 GonePremium
join:2011-01-24
Fort Erie, ON
kudos:4
 ·Start Communicat..
2 recommendations | reply to willzzz
said by willzzz:I know I can drive faster in the US (70-75mph) and not get ticketed. It should be at least 110kph (68mph) like the UK. I know I've read online that the the reason for these limits were that it was a cause of lower accidents. How true is this in your opinion? Any studies done? You can drive 70-75mph in Ontario despite the 60mph limit and still not get a ticket.
Only Ontario and Quebec have the low limits. I can't speak for Quebec, but Ontario lowered theirs from 70 to 60 in the 70s to conserve fuel. They never raised it. It's a politics game that has nothing to do with accidents or safety. The 85th percentile on Ontario's highways is 75-80mph and they are still the safest in North America. People will always drive at a speed they feel a road is designed to handle. An arbitrarily-posted number will do nothing to slow people down. If speed truly is an issue, the only way you can ever get someone to slow down is to reconfigure the road so that people will drive slower.
If you want to look at a study, dig up the one Sask did when they raised their speed limit from 60 to 70mph. No change in accident rate, and no change in how fast people drove. |
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 TigerLordResident pentaxianPremium,Mod
join:2002-06-09
Canada
kudos:6
·ELECTRONICBOX
| reply to Link Logger
said by Link Logger:I'd love to meet someone who say they can drive fast safely as I'd like to examine their optic nerve and visual cortex as I'm betting it smells like BS
I think the state of roads in QC is too dangerous to allow fast driving. Pot holes everywhere do not make for safe highways.
However, it's possibly to drive fast on highways safely. 
Accident rates
Despite the prevailing high speeds, the accident, injury and death rates on the Autobahn are remarkably low. The Autobahn carries about a third of all Germany's traffic, but injury accidents on the Autobahn account for only 6% of such accidents nationwide and less than 12% of all traffic fatalities were the result of Autobahn crashes (2009). In fact, the annual fatality rate (2.7 per billion km in 2009) is consistently lower than that of most other superhighway systems, including the US Interstates (4.5 in 2009). Furthermore, a 2005 study by the German government found that Autobahn sections without speed limits had the same accident rate as those with speed limits. |
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yyzlhr
join:2012-09-03
Scarborough, ON
kudos:1 | reply to willzzz
In Toronto quite a few people drive on the highway as if they're the only ones on the road. Not sure if increasing speed limit here would be a wise idea. |
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GonePremium
join:2011-01-24
Fort Erie, ON
kudos:4 Reviews:
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| said by yyzlhr:In Toronto quite a few people drive on the highway as if they're the only ones on the road. Not sure if increasing speed limit here would be a wise idea. It wouldn't make a difference. Those same people are still asshole drivers regardless of the speed limit. |
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 shanerPremium
join:2000-10-04
Calgary, AB | reply to Link Logger
said by Link Logger:Come to Calgary and try driving on the Deerfoot at only 110 kph, now if you use mph then people will still be passing you, but slower.
It might be a leftover from the gas crunch and no doubt reduces accidents or damages/injuries/etc from accidents.
I'd love to meet someone who say they can drive fast safely as I'd like to examine their optic nerve and visual cortex as I'm betting it smells like BS
Blake
Then there's always the hwy 2 stretch from Calgary to Red Deer with packs of cars traveling at 130-140 like they're drafting at Talladega.
Deerfoot is exciting because you can practice dodging rocks flying off dump trucks at 110 kph.
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I'm a man, but I can change. If I have to. I guess.
»shaner38.blogspot.com/
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| reply to willzzz
said by willzzz:I know I can drive faster in the US (70-75mph) and not get ticketed. Yea, and I also know first hand that you can drive faster in the US (69 mph in a 65) and get ticketed... so there isn't really a point to be made here since your society is the same as ours with the exception of some of your highways that have a higher limit. |
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| reply to willzzz
The speed limit on the major highways is 110 in this neck of the woods[Nova scotia] I just put the cruse control on 120 and never have a problem.
I think in Ontario anything over 140 they just shoot you and call it a day. |
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| reply to shaner
then there is alberta's death highway 63.....where twinning was supposed to save lives, but its become a drag strip clocking it at 170 and 180
»www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/···aks.html |
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1 recommendation | said by jaberi:then there is alberta's death highway 63.....where twinning was supposed to save lives, but its become a drag strip clocking it at 170 and 180
Actually, it's not twinned. It's about 440 km to Ft McMurray from north Edmonton and about 32 km of divided highway has been opened to traffic. Another 200 km is being worked on and should all be opened within the next 2 or 3 years, all this on 63 north of Grasslands. The 200 km stretch along 28 (or any other route as there's a few) from Edmonton to Grasslands has nary a hint of anything to be done with it. Trust me, this section is just as dangerous. The Klein Government in 2006 said that within 7 years or so it would be all twinned... but like I said only about 32 km has been opened. It's a freaking joke.
I usually take the highway for work many times a year and everytime I get in my car for the trip I say to myself "time to roll the dice". Not a good feeling. To reduce the chances of anything I try to always travel during daylight... there's a lot of wildlife and Moose too so that's another factor for not going at night. The good news is, like the article you linked to stated, there's a lot more police presence than even just 5 years ago. A lot. I even ran into a checkstop at noon on a Sunday outside Boyle in late March, I had never seen one on 63 before. Dividing the highway isn't the perfect solution but does need to be done, even if just to accommodate some of the insane wide loads. At least I'll have the "safety" of the right lane as the fucking idiots race by me doing 30 - 70 km/h over the limit... and for the most part the horrific head on collision that occurs every month or so with the current single lane highway should be drastically reduced. Keep in mind though most drivers do play by the rules, but as we all know it just takes one to change many people's lives forever.
Here's a great graphic 
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 donoreoPremium
join:2002-05-30
North York, ON | reply to willzzz
I can drive 120 kph on any 400 highway and not get pulled over. I also will get passed regularly. |
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| reply to willzzz
As gone pointed out, the speed limit on Ontario's divided highways was higher until the government lowered it in response to the 70's oil crisis (crises?). They just forgot to raise it again afterwards.
The cynic in me believes it hasn't been raised because it would cut into the very lucrative speeding fine revenue stream.
They should raise it to 120 km/h and enforce zero tolerance. They should also implement a minimum speed limit (95 km/h?) on the 400 series highways and enforce that too.
I generally run 110 on the 401. It's a comfortable speed for me, keeps me below the radar (heh) and the gas mileage isn't affect too much versus doing 100.
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"It's all coming down!!" - Mike Holmes |
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 DKSDamn Kidney StonesPremium,ExMod 2002
join:2001-03-22
Owen Sound, ON
kudos:2 | reply to Gone
said by Gone:said by willzzz:I know I can drive faster in the US (70-75mph) and not get ticketed. It should be at least 110kph (68mph) like the UK. I know I've read online that the the reason for these limits were that it was a cause of lower accidents. How true is this in your opinion? Any studies done? You can drive 70-75mph in Ontario despite the 60mph limit and still not get a ticket. That's only on the 400 series highways. Try doing that elsewhere and you WILL get a ticket. The OPP generally tolerate just under 100 km/h on an 80 km/h road, but not always.
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Need-based health care not greed-based health care. |
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RiamenPremium
join:2002-11-04
Calgary | reply to willzzz
The official speed limit on highway 2 between Calgary and Edmonton has been 110 kph for as long as I can remember. |
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GonePremium
join:2011-01-24
Fort Erie, ON
kudos:4 Reviews:
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| reply to DKS
said by DKS:That's only on the 400 series highways. Try doing that elsewhere and you WILL get a ticket. The OPP generally tolerate just under 100 km/h on an 80 km/h road, but not always. This is entirely correct. I can go 100KM/h down Netherby Road or Number 3 down in there parts and I'm okay. Anything faster than that and I'm a target.
Though as I think I pointed out in the past, I was stunned at how fast traffic moved on Highway 6 north of Wiarton. Entire groups moving 120KM/h. |
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 elwoodbluesElwood BluesPremium
join:2006-08-30
HarperLand
kudos:1
1 recommendation | reply to willzzz
said by willzzz:I know I can drive faster in the US (70-75mph) and not get ticketed. It should be at least 110kph (68mph) like the UK. I know I've read online that the the reason for these limits were that it was a cause of lower accidents. How true is this in your opinion? Any studies done?
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Keep speeds artificially low and you generate more revenue via speeding tickets
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No, I didn't. Honest... I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake....... |
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| reply to urbanriot
said by urbanriot:Yea, and I also know first hand that you can drive faster in the US (69 mph in a 65) and get ticketed...
Cops often like to target those from out-of-town or out-of-state, maybe even more so out-of country.
The person will not be hanging around to challenge the ticket, and also he/she is not a local voter. |
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 J E F FWhatta Ya Think About Dat?Premium
join:2004-04-01
Kitchener, ON
kudos:1
 ·Rogers Portable ..
·WIND Mobile
·Rogers Hi-Speed
·magicjack.com
| reply to willzzz
The issue in Ontario is poor enforcement of speed laws, where typically you can go about 20-25% over the speed limit with little risk of being pulled over, and if you are pulled, they'll reduce it by 10kph. (so no matter what, you won't get demerit points if you follow the 20-25% rule) So the de facto speed on the 400-series highways in Ontario are about 120 KPH. Or 100 in right lane, 110-115 in centre lane, and 120 - 129 in left lane. People do go faster than the in the left lane, but you risk getting a ticket if you do over 130. (So keep it under 80 MPH) I think Americans are safe doing 75 on the 400-series. Otherwise, stick to the 20-25% rule. (max at 25 kph over the limit, since police auto-reduce by 10 or 11 so you don't screw up your insurance, as long as you're pleasant and have no outstanding warrants)
Now, because we have this attitude in Ontario to do 20-25% over, without fear from the police, if the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) were to increase the limits it say 110 or 120, people would still apply the "20%" -- and they'd start driving at 145 kph without fear from the police, and likely the police would still have 0 enforcement unless people went over the de facto 'over limit'.
Do I want idiots driving at 145 (90 MPH)? No. I don't.
In the US, a limit is the limit. So if you're doing 81 in a 75, you're ass is in the hands of the state trooper and they'll give you grief for speeding. I noticed in the US 80 is a 'do not cross threshold'. Not the same here.
Still, my buddy took my down to Windsor from Kitchener in about 90 minutes. 115 MPH the entire way.
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If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein |
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RiamenPremium
join:2002-11-04
Calgary | reply to Gershom 1624
said by Gershom 1624:Cops often like to target those from out-of-town or out-of-state, maybe even more so out-of country.
The person will not be hanging around to challenge the ticket, and also he/she is not a local voter. I got two speeding tickets in the US, one in Oregon and the other in California. I never paid either, just zipped back across the border and threw the tickets away. California later sent me a pay-up-or-else letter but nothing ever came of it.
An interesting note, in both instances the cop approached my car with his hand on his weapon. I don't think I've seen a Canadian cop do that. |
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| reply to willzzz
the 401's speed limits are 20km/h to 135 km/h depending on the time of day. |
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elwoodbluesElwood BluesPremium
join:2006-08-30
HarperLand
kudos:1 | reply to J E F F
Holy smoke, and didn't get nailed..boy was he lucky.
Dalton's new laws would hand his ass to him, alright, you'd be hitching back to Kitchener. |
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elwoodbluesElwood BluesPremium
join:2006-08-30
HarperLand
kudos:1 | reply to Riamen
Your license is effectively suspended in those states.
If you get caught, you'll not only be nailed for speeding but for driving with a suspended license.
I have one from Arizona 7yrs ago, 10 miles over the limit (missed a construction slow down), over 100 bucks.
Same thing, got a couple of letters tossed them,but if I go back down there, and get caught I'm in big trouble.
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No, I didn't. Honest... I ran out of gas. I... I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake....... |
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GonePremium
join:2011-01-24
Fort Erie, ON
kudos:4 Reviews:
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| reply to J E F F
said by J E F F:Now, because we have this attitude in Ontario to do 20-25% over, without fear from the police, if the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) were to increase the limits it say 110 or 120, people would still apply the "20%" -- and they'd start driving at 145 kph without fear from the police, and likely the police would still have 0 enforcement unless people went over the de facto 'over limit'. Empirical evidence obtained from other jurisdictions where speed limits were increased indicates that your assumption is entirely incorrect.
This is, however, a common myth often cited by people who have no understanding of the subject.
said by user=J E F F :]In the US, a limit is the limit. So if you're doing 81 in a 75, you're ass is in the hands of the state trooper and they'll give you grief for speeding. I noticed in the US 80 is a 'do not cross threshold'. Not the same here. Hah, you've only shown your lack of experience driving in the US by making that comment. In New York State the "limit" is 65, but as long as you keep it under 80 you're fine - not much different from Ontario. The only exception are the Parkways. Those are posted at 55 and they will - and I have seen - people be busted for going 57.
Most people on a freeway are going to drive 70-80mph. It doesn't matter if the sign says 50 or says 90, people are still going to drive that speed. The only time they won't is if there are design deficiencies that would cause them to slow down. Those design changes are the only realistic way you can ever slow anyone down on any road anywhere. They call them "road diets" |
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 EUSKill cancerPremium
join:2002-09-10
canada
·voip.ms
| reply to willzzz
Whether true or not, I've always been told that speed limits are a function of the road's properties/abilities.
I haven't been to BC in 2 decades, but the last time I was out that way I remember 120kmh/day, 110kmh/night.
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~ Project Hope ~ |
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GonePremium
join:2011-01-24
Fort Erie, ON
kudos:4 Reviews:
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| said by EUS:Whether true or not, I've always been told that speed limits are a function of the road's properties/abilities. Ideally they are, but more often than not they aren't.
BC did a big traffic study about ten years ago to determine the 85th percentile of highways in the province. Most of the recommendations were to increase speed limits (including raising the Coquihalla and some highways on Vancouver Island to 120) but I don't think anything ever came of it. |
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·callwithus
·Callcentric
| reply to Riamen
said by Riamen:I got two speeding tickets in the US, one in Oregon and the other in California. I never paid either, just zipped back across the border and threw the tickets away. California later sent me a pay-up-or-else letter but nothing ever came of it.
That's strange, AFAIK in most US jurisdictions if you are an out-of-state driver the cop takes you down to the police station where you must post a bail that is exactly equivalent to the traffic fine. So they are getting the money up-front. AFAIK the only time this is not done is when a reciprocity agreement exists between the states/provinces involved.
Our auto club (AAA) issues a bail bond card to its members that can serve as the equivalent to posting that bail.
said by Riamen:An interesting note, in both instances the cop approached my car with his hand on his weapon. I don't think I've seen a Canadian cop do that.
I bet they do in Peel.
But seriously, traffic stops are very dangerous for US officers, with all sorts of crazy and heavily-armed people running around down here (from drug runners to gang members to "freemen").
Also---I don't know, just guessing---a cop will run a license plate check before approaching the car and perhaps the information available on plates from Canadian provinces is less complete.... |
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