Speed limits could rise and fall simultaneously in B.C. as reviews of too-low highway limits and too-fast urban limits are under way.

New B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone has asked his staff to review highway speeds with an eye to increasing speed limits where it is safe to do so.
At the same time, politicians concerned about urban safety are asking for city street speed limits to be reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

Stone, recently installed as transport minister by Premier Christy Clark, said his staff will review all speed limits with the eye to submitting recommendations by next spring.

Clark, who won a recent byelection in the Okanagan riding of Westside-Kelowna, said she often hears from her constituents that highway speed limits are too slow.

At the same time, a move is on for lower speed limits in urban areas.Delegates to the upcoming Union of B.C. Municipalities convention will debate a motion to have municipal street speed limits decreased from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

Unless otherwise posted, the street speed limit in B.C. is 50 km/h, but a convention proposal first presented by the City of Victoria would see limit reduced to 40 km/h.

The motion will be discussed later this month when delegates gather for the UBCM convention in Vancouver.