OLDS — The speed limit in Uptowne Olds could one day be cut from 50 kilometres an hour (km/h) to 30, if a town councillor has her way.
Mary Anne Overwater suggested the idea during council’s April 12 meeting.
“With more and more outdoor patios, I’m just wondering if our main street Uptowne, I believe the speed limit is 50 (km/h)," said Overwater. “And I’m just wondering if somewhere along the line, even beyond COVID and whatever, if we could entertain the idea of reducing that speed limit to 30.
“I know myself, I have sat outside at one of the restaurants down there and you know, if they’re (supposed to be) doing 50 they’re doing 60 and it’s not a pleasant experience.
"I don’t really believe that they need to be travelling that fast down that street anyways. There’s people that jaywalk – sure they shouldn’t, but they do. And I’m just wondering if council would entertain a further discussion on reducing that speed limit down there.”
Mayor Mike Muzychka said, "Excellent idea, Councillor Overwater,”
Coun. Heather Ryan said the town should first obtain input from groups like the Uptowne Olds Committee which organizes events in the area, before implementing any such move.
In an interview, Uptowne Olds Committee chair April Jemieff said the Uptowne Olds Committee appreciates council’s concern about safety in the area.
She said the committee thinks cutting the speed limit in the area to 30 km/h might be a good idea, given that the speed limit in Sylvan Lake is 40 km/h throughout that whole town.
Besides, said Jemieff, motorists generally don’t seem to drive the 50 km/h in Uptowne anyway, due to several concerns.
"People are so used to looking for people backing out and pedestrians and the lights, so we don’t think it would cause any issue, so to speak,” Jemieff said.
“We do think it might cause people to start looking at our Uptowne area a little bit more. Maybe if they are being more attentive to that speed limit, they might be more willing to look around and see what we have in Uptowne for them to shop at.”
Jemieff was asked what she thought about Coun. Ovewater’s concern that some drivers will go faster than the speed limit, whatever it might be.
“That could be her experience. I don’t know that from my experience. I know that I probably travel slower than the 50 kilometres (an hour) in Uptowne,” she said.
