Reduced speed limits coming to these 9 Vancouver streets next week
Beginning next week, drivers will have to ease off the gas pedal while passing nine Vancouver schools located along busy arterial routes and collector streets.
Officials are reducing speed limits in the school zones starting Monday as part of the city's Vision Zero plan, which has a lofty goal of eliminating traffic deaths.
In a statement, Mayor Ken Sim described the speed reductions as "one of the many steps we are taking towards making Vancouver's streets safer for children, seniors and people with disabilities."
None of the reductions, which will only be in effect between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on school days, are being enforced near high schools. Officials said children in elementary school are "more vulnerable road users" than those in higher grades.
The city is reducing speed limits to 40 km/h from 50 km/h outside the following seven schools:
- Dr. Annie B Jamieson Elementary, from 600-700 West 49th Avenue
- John Norquay Elementary, from 4600-4700 Slocan Street
- Florence Nightingale Elementary, in the 400 block of East 12th Avenue
- Dr. George M Weir Elementary, in the 5900 block of Rupert Street
- Stratford Hall Elementary, from 3000-3100 Commercial Drive
- Henry Hudson Elementary, in the 1900 block of Cornwall Street
- šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət (Crosstown) Elementary, in the 0 block of Expo Boulevard
Speed limits will also be reduced to 30 km/h from 50 km/h at two schools:
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary, in the 800 block of West 57th Avenue
- Waverly Elementary, from 6100-6200 Elliott Street
A report from B.C.'s previous provincial health officer, Dr. Pery Kendall, urged decreased speed limits throughout cities, describing 30 km/h as a "survivable speed" for both pedestrians and cyclists that would likely lead to a dramatic decrease in deaths.
Officials said signs will be placed near the nine Vancouver elementary schools to inform drivers about the new speed limits, and that community policing volunteers will also be stationed at some of the locations early on to raise awareness.
City staff will be collecting data and public feedback on the reductions to report back to council in spring 2024, and officials could expand to other elementary schools down the road.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.