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Road Safety
Speed Limits
To protect the public, speed is governed by legal regulations that enforce, subject to penalty, compliance with speed limits. The main goal of compliance with speed limits is the safety of all road users.
Accidents are relatively rare occurrences. That is why it is extremely difficult for drivers to realize that driving a certain speed, in certain locations and under certain conditions poses a threat to themselves and others. Speed limits were introduced as a means to encourage drivers to embrace:
- safe driving for the benefit of all road users (other drivers, cyclists, pedestrians) by restricting the maximum speed limit;
- the statutory and safe speed based on surrounding conditions (road environment, weather, traffic conditions).
Speed limits are reasonable and understandable controls. They strike a balance between mobility, safety and the diversity of all users of the road. They also help ensure that vehicles travel at relatively similar speeds.
In most cases, speed limits are adapted to road traffic. The road is a remarkably trying and complex environment, complete with cars, pedestrians, cyclists, heavy vehicles and “regular motorists driving regular vehicles on regular roads”.
Speed limits take this complex environment into account and are intended to minimize the number and severity of accidents.
That is why under section 328 of the Highway Safety Code, no person may drive at a speed:
- of less than 60 km/h or more than 100 km/h on autoroutes, unless a special permit authorizing the use of an outsized vehicle requires that the vehicle be driven at a lower rate of speed;
- in excess of 90 km/h on public highways surfaced with concrete, asphalt or a similar material;
- in excess of 70 km/h on gravel highways;
- in excess of 50 km/h in a built-up area, except on autoroutes;
- in excess of the maximum rate of speed authorized, according to the circumstances and the time of day, such as periods of school activity, as specified by the illuminated or non-illuminated, variable or non-variable message sign or signal that applies to that portion of the public highway.
