The city is sending a message to lead-footed drivers who treat residential streets like race tracks to respect the speed limit and slow down.
Surrounded by a group of Grade 5 students from Eagle Heights Public School and members of the Oxford Park Community Association, city officials launched the new speed reducing traffic initiative on Foster Ave. at Edinburgh St. on Monday.
"What we are asking people is, no matter where they are in our city, if it's a local street or an arterial road, is to respect the speed limit," said Edward Soldo, London's director of roads and transportation. "We have varying speed limits throughout the city but in particular if you are in a school zone or near a community centre or arena where there are people actively crossing the roadway respect the limit, slow down, be aware of your surroundings, and ensure that you are driving in a manner that is safe for all users of the roadway."
Nearly 2,000 lawn signs with the words "Respect the Limit" have been printed by the city and are available for free to anyone wanting to slow traffic in their neighbourhood. The city recommends homeowners install the signs between the sidewalk and their house. If there is no sidewalk then the sign should be placed 5 metres from the edge of the road.
Studies have shown that, on average, one-third of drivers exceed the 50km/h speed limit in London neighbourhoods, according to the city. Mayor Matt Brown added that speeders in residential areas are among the most common complaint calls councillors receive from their constituents.
"That's why we embraced vision zero and that's why we put so much emphasis behind this program," said Brown.
Vision Zero is the city's road safety strategy. It aims to reduce the number and severity of collisions on London streets, while increasing road safety for cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians. As part of the strategy, council approved the lowering of school zone speed limits from 50 km/h to 40 km/h in 2016.
"As a parent, as a person who drives through residential areas on a regular basis, I don't see much reason why we need to travel much faster than 30 km/h," said Brown at the Respect The Limit launch. "I think people know what feels right on the road and just because you're on your way to an important meeting or are rushing to get to an appointment doesn't mean you should feel it necessary to speed through a neighbourhood like this one or any of the other neighbourhoods across our city."
Anyone wanting to pick up a Respect the Limit lawn sign can do so at any of the ten following community centres:
- Byron Community Centre
- Medway Community Centre
- Springbank Gardens Community Centre
- Kinsmen Arena
- South London Community Centre
- Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre
- Boyle Community Centre
- North London Optimist Community Centre
- Stronach Arena and Community Centre
- Hamilton Road Seniors Community Centre
- Kiwanis Seniors Community Centre