Speed Limits

We know that higher speeds increase the risk of a crash and the chance that a crash will end in a serious injury or death. 

Speed limits can help everyone get to where they are going safely, whether they are driving, walking, rolling, biking or taking transit. Harmonizing speed limits in our community and with neighbouring municipalities can help make driving around the Peninsula more predictable.

Anticipated changes:

Central Saanich is reviewing speed limits on our roads to help everyone move around our community more safely.

• Winter 2025: In January, District staff presented a staff report to Council. For a preliminary approach and discussion, please see item 11.3 from the Council meeting:
  • Council Meeting: Jan. 27 Regular Council Meeting Revised Agenda
  • Staff Report: Central Saanich Speed Limit Reduction Plan
• Spring 2025: Council directed staff to draft a bylaw to update the District's speed limits, to present to Council along with ICBC data.
• Summer/Fall 2025: If adopted, we anticipate speed limit reductions to help improve safety for all road users in our community's residential and commercial areas. 

Please return to this page for details. For more information, please email engineering@csaanich.ca, or call the Municipal Yard at 250-544-4224 to be directed to our Engineering team.

Why speed really matters

Lower speeds are safer for drivers and the passengers in their vehicles, and help protect more vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Lower speeds:

1. Increase the time you have to react, as the driver or as another road user. Seconds matter!
2. Reduce the stopping distance you need, helping you slow down before a crash or avoid a crash. 
3. Lessen the force of a crash, making serious injury or death less likely.

Did you know?

Doubling your speed (like from 30 to 60 km/hour) doesn't double the force of crashing into a stationary object, like a stopped vehicle. It QUADRUPLES the force of that crash.

How we can improve road safety

While speed limits are important, they are just one aspect of road safety. Other aspects include:

• Enforcement by the Central Saanich Police Service to help deter dangerous driving. 
• Public education to help all road users share our roads more safely.
• Speed reader boards to remind drivers how fast we are going in the moment.
• Traffic calming measures, like speed humps, to encourage slower driving.
• Road markings to alert road users when their paths intersect.

The District is working hard to install more road safety infrastructure throughout our community, where budgets and physical space permit. This road work includes crosswalks with pedestrian-activated lights, raised crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use pathways and more accessible bus stops.