Yes. Divided highways designed for higher speeds
Speed limits should be apolitical and set by trained engineers. Public feedback is best solicited by observing the actual speeds drivers drive, using an engineering speed study.
Engineers conduct a speed study and determine the speed not exceeded by a supermajority of drivers, known as the 85th percentile. This engineering guideline has been used around the world to set safe speed limits for about 70 years — with stellar results. More than 60 countries and states around the world post 120- and 130-km/h speed limits on their divided highways.
My organization, stop100.ca, obtained two sets of data showing the proper speed limits on Ontario 400-series highways should be 120 to 130 km/h.
One is the 85th percentile speed study conducted several years ago by the Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO), which yielded 119 km/h in the right lane and 126 km/h in the passing lane — showing 120 km/h should be the minimum posted number. Another obtained from the MTO agrees with these findings and point to average passenger vehicle speeds falling between 120 and 130 km/h on many stretches of our highways. Note the design speed of our 400 highways is 120 km/h, confirming most drivers instinctively know what are safe speeds.
There are a number of benefits of setting proper speed limits: Fairness of the law The current speed limit of 100 km/h arbitrarily defines virtually every driver as a lawbreaker. The actions of a majority of safe drivers must not be made illegal. Safety and respect for the law With low speed limits posted far below the 85th percentile speeds, drivers decide what speeds are safe for them, with most falling at or below120 to130 km/h. This creates disrespect for the law and causes drivers to ignore most posted limits. A recent government speed study in B.C. showed the actual operating speeds remained mostly unchanged where limits were increased and some stretches showed the 85th percentile speeds dropped by 2 km/h. This suggests drivers now trust and respect the new increased speed limits. Smooth and efficient traffic flow Highway traffic is safest when most vehicles travel roughly at the same speed, with slower traffic to the right. Posting low speed limits far below the typical flow speeds (85th percentile speeds) creates dangerous speed differentials and poor lane choices. One “slow” driver travelling far below the actual but “illegal” traffic speed severely impedes smooth traffic flow, causing more passing and other conflicts.
More money left in drivers’ pockets
Low speed limits create “speed traps” and make responsible road users travelling at safe speeds targets of unfair speed enforcement with risks of unjustified insurance premium increases. This removes economic activity from local economies. Better use of police resources Currently, a vast majority of drivers who travel above 100 km/h are considered lawbreakers so it is more difficult for police officers to isolate truly dangerous drivers from those travelling at safe speeds. Posting proper speed limits would allow the police to target only the much smaller number of drivers exceeding them by a significant margin.
The Ford government is doing the right thing by proposing to finally fix Ontario’s incorrect highway speed limits. Safe driving must not be arbitrarily made illegal. Speed limits must be set using proper engineering and safety principles. Ontario’s 400-series highways see 85th percentile speeds between approximately120 and130 km/h and are No. 1 and No. 2 in safety in North America according to the data from the MTO.
We urge the government to set proper speed limits of 120 and 130 km/h, which will end a widespread disrespect for the law, create a smoother traffic flow, leave more money in drivers’ pockets, free up police resources and allow them to shift their attention to other problematic behaviours, such as occupying the left lane when not passing: keep right except to pass.