The town of Rocky Mountain House is considering a change to speed limits throughout town, which would see speed limits reduced to 40 km/h in most areas, unless otherwise posted.
The proposal includes changing speed limits on roads west of the Highway 11 corridor, with the exception of a stretch of 60 Street, which would remain at 50 km/h.
All highways east of Hwy. 11 are a maximum of 50 km/h per hour with the exception of McNutt subdivision.
Streets in Rocky Mountain House that have posted speed limits of 30 km/h. (Town of Rocky Mountain House)
Councillor Dave Auld says it’s a good initiative to pursue, especially with a number of close calls in town.
He adds, it would make it easier for RCMP and peace officers to enforce traffic laws, as someone driving 60 km/h would now be a full 20 km/h over the speed limit.
An information package presented to council presented data that shows, in a vehicle-pedestrian collision, a pedestrian has a 70 per cent chance of surviving when struck by a vehicle that is travelling at 40 km/h. At a vehicle speed of 50 km/h, the survival rate drops to 15 per cent, and continues to drop as vehicle speeds
increase.
Two subdivisions in town had previously received speed limit reductions down to 40 km/h, including Creekside in 2020, and McNutt in 2024.
–
READ MORE
–
Acting Mayor Len Phillips said amending the speed limit bylaw is not without precedent, as other municipalities have drafted similar amendments.
The motion passed first reading, and council will consider public input before going forward with second and third readings.
Comments