Gatineau, May 28, 2012. – Today is the day that the new 40 km/h – secteur signs will start appearing in residential side streets throughout Gatineau. The new signs will be installed gradually and strategically, by sector and by residential neighbourhood, starting with the Buckingham sector, and ending in August in the Aylmer sector.

"By lowering the speed limit in residential neighbourhoods, Gatineau hopes to make its streets safer for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists. The statistics are clear: 50% of minor accidents, 37% of serious accidents and 20% of fatalities occur in urban areas where the speed limit is 50 km/h. This measure is sure to improve Gatineau's record, and its residents will get a safer environment," indicated Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau.

Lowering the speed limit from 50 to 40 km/h affects every residential side street in Gatineau. The Maximum 40 km/h – secteur signs will be installed at residential neighbourhood entrances, on every access route. Additional signs will indicate when the speed limit drops to 30 km/h around schools and playgrounds. When a 40 km/h area ends, there will be a sign indicating the return to the prescribed speed limit (50 km/h in most cases) right at the exit from the neighbourhood or at most 500 m before the end of the 40 km/h sector.

In our neighbourhoods, 40 is plenty!

A communication campaign informing residents of the change in residential side street speed limits will be deployed on the radio, in newspapers and through the Internet. Residents can visit www.gatineau.ca/40km for additional information.

"Everyone will have to adjust, but it is important that residents pay attention and change their driving by slowing down in our neighbourhoods. We expect this new measure to have an impact on the average speed of vehicles and to reduce the risk of physical injury in the event of an impact. We should think about our children, who are sometimes distracted. I would remind you that the probability of a fatality when a pedestrian is hit by a car is 70% when the latter is going at 50 km/h, and only 25% at 40 km/h, " added Stéphane Lauzon, Municipal Councillor and President of the Commission de la sécurité publique et de la circulation.

By the end of August, the following set of speed limits will apply throughout Gatineau:
• 30 km/h: elementary school and playground zones
• 40 km/h: residential side streets
• 50 km/h or over: arteries and collectors

It should be noted that the by-law comes into effect as soon as the signs have been installed in a residential neighbourhood. It is important to comply with the signs at all times, as violators will be ticketed.

Information: www.gatineau.ca or 3-1-1.