Windsor councillor calls for 40 km/h speed limit on all residential streets

A 40 km/hr sign in Windsor, Ont., on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Angelo Aversa / CTV Windsor)

Should Windsor set all residential street speed limits at 40 kilometres an hour?

Ward 8 Coun. Gary Kaschak raised the idea during Monday’s council meeting, asking staff to study a standard 40 km/h limit for all residential streets and report back on feasibility.

Kaschak said he has been hearing complaints from residents about speeding in neighbourhoods. He noted that some streets in his ward already have different limits.

“In the south end, the Fontainebleau area — Clemenceau and Lloyd George — are at 40 km/h. At the north end, Balfour, Glendale and Ferndale are at 50 km/h. People are asking why,” he said. “Let’s look at this across the city and let council decide on a standard residential speed limit.”

Kaschak said he supports a citywide 40 km/h limit, citing safety and active transportation.

“People have a better chance if they’re hit by a vehicle going slower rather than faster,” he said. “We want people to walk, bike and use scooters, but higher speeds discourage that.”

He said he believes there is support on council, though changes would come with costs.

“We’ll have to replace some signs and there will be mixed reaction from residents,” he said. “But I think a majority would support it.”

A report on the feasibility of a standard 40 km/h speed limit on all residential streets will be brought to a future meeting of Windsor city council.