Dear editor,
Here are a few reasons why I favour lower speed limits.
• Safety: reduced severity of accidents involving vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists etc.; greater stopping distances at slower speeds; more reaction time.
• Greener: less greenhouse gas creation.
• Cost: overall less fuel consumed. The speed limits on the country roads in the Comox Valley range from 50 km/h (Farnham Road, Railway Avenue, Comox Road) to 60 km/h (Condensory and Dove Creek Roads) to 70 km/h (Howard Road, Merville Road, Coleman Road, Royston Road, Piercy Road) to 80 km/h (Headquarters Road). Ask anyone who walks, rides a horse, or a bicycle if they feel safe doing so “sharing the road” with traffic that moves at 70-80 km/h on these roads. Why do dog and horse owners have to drive to places where they walk their animals?
The argument that lower speed limits cannot be policed is nonsense. Who polices the current speed limits? Many other communities have reduced speed limits, in Canada and around the world. The traffic still flows.
Let’s consider making our valley a safer, greener and less costly place. We know fuel taxes go into general revenue, thus are not road specific, so all consumers are paying for these roads.
Let’s really share the roads, at lower speeds.
Georgina Price,
Black Creek