Last Updated: October 20, 2025
Following a road safety review in 2025, updated speed limits are coming to select roads in Central Saanich. Please go to the Let's Talk page for recent updates.
Lower speeds reduce the risk of a crash and the chance that a crash will end in a serious injury or death.
Evidence-base speed limits can help everyone get around safely, whether they are in a vehicle, walking, rolling, or on a bike. Harmonizing speed limits with our neighbouring municipalities also makes driving around the Peninsula more predictable.
Why speed really matters
Lower speeds are safer for drivers and the passengers in their vehicles, and help protect more vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Lower speeds:
- Increase the time you have to react, as the driver or as another road user. Seconds matter!
- Reduce the stopping distance you need, helping you slow down before a crash or avoid a crash.
- Lessen the force of a crash, making serious injury or death less likely.
Did you know?
Doubling your speed (like from 30 to 60 km/hour) doesn't double the force of crashing into a stationary object, like a stopped vehicle. It QUADRUPLES the force of that crash.
How we can improve road safety
While speed limits are important, they are just one aspect of road safety. Other aspects include:
- Enforcement by the Central Saanich Police Service to help deter dangerous driving.
- Public education to help all road users share our roads more safely.
- Speed reader boards to remind drivers how fast we are going in the moment.
- Traffic calming measures, like speed humps, to encourage slower driving.
- Road markings to alert road users when their paths intersect.
The District is working hard to install more road safety infrastructure throughout our community, where budgets and physical space permit. This road work includes crosswalks with pedestrian-activated flashing lights, raised crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use pathways and more accessible bus stops.
