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A few things about this proposal: #wpgpoli #winnipeg
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Plebiscite should decide speed limit question, councillor says: https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/plebiscite-should-decide-speed-limit-question-councillor-says-573476901.html
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Plebiscite should decide speed limit question, councillor says: https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/plebiscite-should-decide-speed-limit-question-councillor-says-573476901.html
First, the deferral of controversial decisions to plebiscites seems to be a common cop out. Yeah, as a councillor you actually do have to do some research, think about it, make your mind up and decide. That is 100% of your job description! 2/n
you have to be able and willing to share your thinking behind your decision. That too is part of the job. Deferring a "difficult" decision to a plebiscite is an abrogation of your duty. We entrust you to do the work, to make the right decision on our behalf. #wpgpoli 3/n
Second, about the whole 50Kph limit. The councillor is right, it has been that limit for a long time. The 30kph residential speed limit was first put in place in the mid-1930's. Been there ever since. Leading up to that it was increased incrementally over a couple of decades 4/n
There doesn't appear to be any logic or science behind the speed limit of 50kph, and it has stayed there for the last 90 years. From a safety point of view, the two things that affect safety, both stopping distance & force of impact, are speed and mass. #winnipeg 5/n
in the 90 yrs since 50kph limit was put in place, the average mass of a car has almost doubled. The most common models from 1930 (Ford) 1,700lbs. A Honda Civic today is about 3,100lbs. Trucks & SUV's did not exist on residential streets in 1930. #winnipeg #wpgpoli #love30 6/n
Cars are considerably more powerful and more common than they were back in 1930. They are bigger, heavier, higher than they were in 1930, when the speed limit of 50kph was set. It is time to lower the speed limit to a 2020 value that reflects the changes of the last 90 yrs. 7/n
Decision makers need to look forward to the future & how to make our communities safer & better. We don't need them to hide in 1930 & hide from their responsibility. 30kph makes sense in 2021. #love30 #visionzero #wpgpoli #winnipeg fin
