Victoria reducing speed limits to 30 km/h on most streets by 2027
Just when you thought life in Victoria couldn’t get any slower, the city is giving its speed limits a major overhaul.
This week, City Council unanimously approved a plan to lower speed limits to 40 km/h or less on most of Victoria’s streets. Some smaller residential roads will see their limits drop even further to a slow-and-steady 30 km/h.
If you’re used to zipping down Douglas or Blanshard, you’re off the hook — those two major six-lane thoroughfares are holding onto their 50 km/h status since they’re key connections to the highways.
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This isn’t Victoria’s first go at slowing things down. For the past few years, the city has been steadily rolling out 30 km/h zones on quieter, unmarked streets.
Most neighbourhoods have already seen the changes, and by the end of the year, seven out of Victoria’s 11 neighbourhoods will have the new limits firmly in place.
According to the city and the BC government, lower speeds mean fewer life-threatening crashes. The full rollout is expected to be done by spring 2027, and the project is anticipated to cost under $100,000.
Time to take it easy on the pedal, Victoria — your streets are getting a little more chill.