New Kamloops traffic-calming guidelines take aim at excessive speeders

Transportation Manager Purvez Irani said drivers breaking the speed limit is a particular concern in the city.

“One of the main things that came out of Vision Zero was excessive speeding in Kamloops. It was, in fact, a higher contributing factor for serious injuries and fatalities compared to distracted driving or impaired driving,” said Irani.

Residents will be able to submit formal requests if they have concerns, and projects will only move ahead if they meet certain criteria, such as a threshold of 65 per cent of surveyed residents agreeing with the request, technical criteria and objective thresholds.

Projects will then be prioritized based on speeds, traffic volumes, collision history, active transportation usage, proximity to schools and transit facilities, and the presence of vulnerable users.

Irani said this would ensure the highest risk locations and those with the greatest potential safety benefits get attention first.

“This policy will provide us with a formal framework on how we can handle resident request in a timely fashion and with success,” said Irani.

“There’s always neighbourhood engagement and support as part of the policy. The fundamental mission is to bring down our serious injuries and collisions and make it safe for all road users.”

The decision comes months after a pilot project to reduce residential speed limits in two Kamloops neighbourhoods was rejected in January.

by Elora McCormack

New Kamloops traffic-calming guidelines take aim at excessive speeders

Our Community