The Town of Okotoks is on the right road to improving safety in the community with lower speed limits.
That said, nearly three months after the limit across town was dropped to 40 km/h, it’s a good time to take a look in the rear view mirror.
The new speed limit took effect in January. Exceptions are for playground and school zones and North/Southridge Drive, Milligan Drive, 32 Street and Big Rock Trail where the speed limit remained at 50 km/h, to name a few.
Town council has found itself in the cross-hairs of some in the community who say the limit is too slow, it’s not appropriate on some roads and it’s a cash-cow.
Municipal Enforcement says the move has made local roads safer and councillors balk at suggestions it’s a moneymaker. Fines are easy to avoid.
People have had time to adjust, but it’s a good time to review the situation and see what impact the lower limit has had on speeds and safety on roads in town. It is also an opportunity to see if there are any locations where it would be reasonable to raise the limit back up to 50 km/h. One resident is asking the limit be put back up to 50 km/h on North Railway Street. He may be right, but the only way to know is to take a closer look.
The Town is monitoring the situation and looking at speeds and traffic flow across the community.
When the rubber hits the road, safety is always more important than saving a couple minutes driving across town.
