4 potential questions created for Calgary speed limit plebiscite

Topline information:

Calgary city councillors will be presented with recommendations on Feb. 1 to approve a bylaw that would reduce the unposted speed limit in Calgary from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

What you should know:

• They will also be presented with potential questions to put on October’s municipal election ballot. The four questions are below. (Vote which one you like best!)

• These questions have NOT yet been accepted. The notion of adding the question hasn’t yet been approved in council.  

• City administration doesn’t recommend using this tool on this specific issue.

• According to city administration, “As a vote on a question is non-binding, it can only serve to inform a future Council debate on this issue.”

• The cost to make the speed limit change would be $2.3 million. City traffic specialists say that would be easily recouped city wide with injury and property damage prevention.

• Elections Calgary said a $50,000 contingency should be included in the cost of the upcoming election to pose this question on the ballot.

The questions:

Reduced speed limit questions by Darren Krause

Which one is best?

Further reading:

• Speed limit change the first step in changing road design: Coun. Farrell

• Mixed results with 30km/h speed limit change say Calgary residents

• Speed debate punted to February, plebiscite question possible

• Study on speed reduction and injury