Speed limits reduced on roads in Newmarket, across York Region

Newmarkettoday.ca
May 5, 2021

To notify travellers of the speed limit changes, “new” signs will be posted above the speed limit signs at the beginning of each changed speed zone

York Regional Council approved revisions to speed limits on seven sections of regional roads.

Roads with revised speed limits:

• Mulock Drive/Vivian Road from Leslie Street to Woodbine Avenue -- 70 km/hr to 60 km/hr
• Ninth Line from 63 metres north of Reeves Way Boulevard to 180 metres south of Reeves Way Boulevard -- 70 km/hr to 60 km/hr
• Major Mackenzie Drive East from Ninth Line to York/Durham Line -- 80 km/hr to 70 km/hr
• Langstaff Road from Highway 50 to Highway 27 -- 80 km/hr to 60 km/hr
• Major Mackenzie Drive West from Highway 50 to 715 metres west of Barons Street -- 70 km/hr to 60 km/hr
• Major Mackenzie Drive West from Pine Valley Drive to Islington Avenue -- 70 km/hr to 60 km/hr
• King-Vaughan Road from Pine Valley Drive to 400 metres east of Weston Road -- 70 km/hr to 60 km/hr

“Our communities continue to grow and with more residents working and learning from home, people are using our regional roads for more than driving, including walking and cycling,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “It’s appropriate to review speeds for vehicles to travel so everyone can feel safe and comfortable when using our roads, sidewalks and bike lanes.”

Several factors are considered when annually reviewing and revising speed limits on regional roads, including:

• Adjusting speeds in areas with new community growth and increasing traffic volumes
• Reducing frequent changes to speed limits on a stretch of road to reduce confusion and increase compliance
• Revising speeds to allow drivers to have an appropriate time to react to potential hazards

“Research tells us while a smaller percentage (24 per cent) of vehicle-only collisions resulted in injury or fatality, almost all pedestrian (94%) and cyclist (82%) collisions resulted in injury or death on our roads in 2019,” said Township of King Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Chair of the Region’s Transportation Services. “Reducing speed limits is one of the many efforts we are undertaking to protect vulnerable road users.”

To notify travellers of the speed limit changes, “new” signs will be posted above the speed limit signs at the beginning of each changed speed zone.