Whitehorse city council considering reduced speed limits to improve safety

Whitehorse city council is exploring reducing speed limits on residential streets from 50 to 40 kilometers per hour in an effort to better protect walkers and bikers in Yukon's capital. Amendments to the city's traffic bylaw unanimously passed second reading on June 9 with third reading expected on June 23. 

Earlier this year city administration presented reports from two nonprofit organizations dedicated to preventing traffic injuries — AAA Automobile Foundation and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. 

At the June 9 meeting, Coun. Paolo Galina pointed to a section in the reports highlighting that when vehicles drop their speeds to 40 kilometers an hour, risk to pedestrians drops significantly too. 

Coun. Anne Middler highlighted the success of reducing speedlimits on downtown streets in 2021.

"I was skeptical that it would take that people would buy in, but I'm pleased that residents have self-regulated, and it's become normal and accepted to travel at that speed," she said. 

City administration collected traffic data in 2024 and found that downtown, on average, vehicles were traveling at or below 40 km/h.

Rob Dickson is manager of engineering services with the City of Whitehorse. He said "there are always people who speed", but that overall, "we're seeing an improvement".

Change won't make much difference for drivers, residents say

Garnet Muething is a resident of the Riverdale neighbourhood. She said she's glad to see the speed reduced. 

"I think it's a really good idea. We've got tons of kids going to and from all kinds of places," she said. 

She also said she doesn't think the speed reduction will make a big difference for drivers. 

"I think we don't travel very far overall in Whitehorse, a couple extra seconds is not going to make a big impact on your day."

Wyatt Best, another Riverdale resident, agreed. 

"It's probably just safer for everybody walking around," he said. "You're honestly not getting home any faster at 50 km/h than you are 40 km/h." 

Scott McCarthy lives in Porter Creek and said changing speed limits are all well and good, but wants to know how the change will be enforced. 

"I see a lot of people flying by me, so I think the enforcement part could be better, but maybe that's a lack of enforcement officers." said McCarthy. 

City administrators said they will work with RCMP on education and enforcement plans, and let residents know about the change through road-side signage, the city's website and social media.

The changes will only officially come into effect once the 40 km/h signs go up.  

Territorial government also increasing speeding fines

The Yukon Government is simultaneously introducing new regulations under the Traffic Safety Act to increase fines for speeding and other "unsafe driving behaviours".

According to a press release Monday, starting July 1 fines will increase for careless or distracted driving, driving without a license, and failing to stop for school buses. 

Vern Janz is the Yukon Government's senior advisor on the Motor Vehicles Act. He says, on average, the fines will be doubling. He also notes fines have not substantially increased in over 20 years. 

"A stronger fine level is an increased level of deterrence," Janz said. 

The announcement also said the new regulations will give municipalities "greater authority to create traffic bylaws that reflect local needs."