Changes to Speed Limits
Reducing residential speeds make our streets calmer, quieter, and safer for people walking, biking, driving and enjoying their neighbourhood.
Slowing down gives us more time to react to the unexpected, reduces unnecessary tragedies on our roads, and has very little impact on travel times, so the citywide default speed limit of 40 km/h helps us reach our goal of Vision Zero; zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries in Edmonton by 2032.
Cities across Canada are taking similar measures to increase safety and livability in their communities. This includes the City of St. Albert and the City of Calgary.
Edmonton’s approach to speed management is guided by the Safe Mobility Strategy 2021-2025. The strategy is a key component of the City's strategic goals for the next 10 years and supports ConnectEdmonton in creating a safe, healthy, urban and climate resilient city for all residents.
As of August 6, 2021, the default speed limit changed to 40 km/h on most residential and downtown streets. The primary focus for the month of August was education to ensure that Edmontonians were aware of the change.
We know your time is important. Try the Estimated Time of Arrival tool to see how your trip time may change. Most people who have used it already found their travel time from their home to their destination did not significantly increase because this does not impact most major roads around the city.
The new default (unposted) speed limit in Edmonton is now 40 km/h. That means that if you don’t see a speed limit sign, please adjust your speed to 40 km/h.
The City has taken an approach to signage that reduces the number of signs on our streets wherever possible. Edmontonians can expect to see a sign at locations where there is a change in the speed limit, such as at playground zones, or where a speed limit increases or decreases. Signage will also be provided at entry locations into the City indicating the default speed limit of 40 km/h.
You can also find out which roads will have their speed limit reduced by visiting the Speed Limit Map.
Safety is the priority. Speed limits are an important aspect of traffic safety because speed is a factor in the frequency and outcome of every collision. Slowing down while driving gives you more time to react to the unexpected and helps you avoid crashes.
Reducing speeds can make our streets calmer, quieter, and safer for people walking, biking, driving and enjoying their neighbourhood. This creates a more comfortable environment for active modes of transportation, builds community trust and creates livable neighbourhoods.
Many municipalities throughout Canada, the United States and the world are considering, or have implemented, reduced speed limits. This includes the City of St. Albert and the City of Calgary. The City reviewed best practices, studies and research to develop our implementation plans.
Administration completed a review of integrated public engagement activities and results undertaken since 2018 that captured citizen input into traffic safety initiatives and provided insights into community priorities for renewal projects.
Public were invited to speak to this program twice before the City Council, first in February 2020 and then on November 4, 2020. Improving safety, mobility and accessibility are recurring themes that have emerged from these various forms of public engagement .
In September 2020, the City gathered public feedback for the Safe Mobility Strategy 2021-2025. Information shared by citizens, combined with crash and enforcement data over the past five years, provided the City with a clearer picture to prioritize traffic safety measures. These measures will be localized to communities that have higher rates of collisions than other parts of the city, and may be resolved through a combination of engineering, public engagement, education, and enforcement.