This news release was published on August 29, 2012. The information in this news release may be out of date and some links may be broken.
ALL RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREETS IN GATINEAU NOW POSTED AT 40 KM/H!
Gatineau, August 29, 2012 – Gatineau would like to let residents know that the 40 km/h – secteur signs at residential neighbourhood entrances are now in place. The new by-law affects all residential side streets, and is in force throughout Gatineau.
"These new signs will help to greatly improve road safety in residential areas for everyone, including people on foot, on bikes and in cars. This measure will have a direct impact, given that it has been shown that the risk of fatality for a pedestrian hit at 50 km/h is 70%, but only 25% if the car was going at 40 km/h. I encourage all Gatineau residents to comply with this new speed limit, and to slow down in residential neighbourhoods," indicated Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau.
Crews started installing the signs in late May, and moved gradually and strategically through the different sectors and residential neighbourhoods from the east to the west ends of the city. They finished on August 24 in the Aylmer sector.
Gatineau Municipal Council approved the speed limit decrease from 50 to 40 km/h in April for all residential side streets.
Speed Reduction Measures
A total of 26 new speed reduction measures have been introduced in Gatineau this year.
"Efforts are constantly being deployed protect residents in higher risk areas. These include a raised intersection at the corner of Magnus and Craik, a first in Gatineau," added Stéphane Lauzon, Municipal Councillor and Chair of the Commission de la sécurité publique et de la circulation.
The following speed limits currently apply in Gatineau:
• 30 km/h: elementary schools and playgrounds
• 40 km/h: residential side streets
• 50 km/h and over: arteries and collectors
Information: www.gatineau.ca or 3-1-1.
