A White Rock city councillor is calling for a review of the city’s speed limits, after hearing concerns about traffic dangers from residents and business owners.
Coun. Lynne Sinclair addressed the issue of speed limits at council April 11, following a staff report on a proposed, unrelated amendment to the Street and Traffic Bylaw meant to clarify road classification and align the bylaw with the city’s Transportation Master Plan.
Sinclair asked staff if they had heard concerns about the speed limit, and if that particular bylaw would be the one to amend if the city wanted to reduce the speed limits in the city.
Director of Engineering and Municipal Operations Greg St. Louis noted that further amendment proposals were planned for the bylaw later in the year, but that speed-limit reduction had not been identified as a concern.
“I would suggest that be flagged,” Sinclair responded. “It may be that people haven’t figured out you’re the one to complain to. But they will now.”
Coun. Helen Fathers also requested that staff look into speed bumps when reviewing the street and traffic bylaw, noting she gets requests “all the time” for the traffic-calming measures.
Sinclair told Peace Arch News the majority of concerns she has heard have been regarding Johnston Road, specifically the lower portion south of Thrift.
Noting the area has angled parking and crosswalks mid-block – and that she has seen trucks travelling “at a fairly high speed” – Sinclair said she feels the matter needs to be looked at by staff.
“I think we need to do some canvassing on it because I get comments, whether or not that’s a unified view,” Sinclair said. “I’ve heard enough that I’m concerned about it and I’ve observed enough that I’m concerned about it.”
While Sinclair said she knew that lower speed limits wouldn’t automatically mean drivers would slow down, she said it would help create an awareness of safety in the community.
“I hope that staff take a close look at it, because it’s something we should always be vigilant about,” she said. “The last thing you’d want is for someone to be seriously injured or killed because of a traffic accident that could have been prevented.”
