Speed limits in Canada

Statutory speed limits are default speed limits set by statute in each province or territory. They apply on roads which do not have posted speed limits.

In most provinces and territories, statutory speed limits are {{cvt|50|km/h}} in urban areas, {{cvt|80|km/h}} in rural areas.{{cite web|url=http://www.tourismpei.com/drive-to-pei|title=Driving to Prince Edward Island|date=21 January 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928011146/http://www.tourismpei.com/drive-to-pei|archive-date=28 September 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rmv/handbook/DH-Chapter2.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-09-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928112437/http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rmv/handbook/DH-Chapter2.pdf |archive-date=2013-09-28 }}{{cite act |title=Highway Traffic Act |date=2024 |type=R.S.O. |number=1990, c. H.8 |series= |volume= |at=s.128(1) |url=https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08#BK228 |mode=cs2}} There is no statutory speed limit for grade-separated freeways; however the typical speed limit in most provinces is {{cvt|100|km/h}} or {{cvt|110|km/h}}. Statutory speed limits for school zones tend to be {{cvt|30|or|40|km/h}} in urban areas and {{cvt|50|km/h}} in rural areas.{{cite web|url=https://novascotia.ca/tran/roadsafety/schoolzonesafetyq&a.asp|title=Safer School Zone Q&A - novascotia.ca|website=novascotia.ca|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106043914/https://novascotia.ca/tran/roadsafety/schoolzonesafetyQ%26A.asp|archive-date=2017-11-06}} The highest posted speed limit in the country is 120 km/h (75 mph) and can be found only on the Coquihalla Highway.{{cite web | url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9688343/coquihalla-excessive-speeding-262-kmh/ | title=U.S. Driver caught speeding on Coquihalla, going 262 km/H near Merritt | Globalnews.ca }}{{cite web | url=https://www.toronto.com/news/common-sense-ontario-raising-speed-limits-on-these-long-stretches-of-highway-403-and-highway/article_1fbba34f-e562-58f3-af40-090d1050197d.html#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20speed%20limit,Quebec%20Border%20(102%20km) | title='Common sense': Ontario raising speed limits on these long stretches of Highway 401 and Highway 403 along with Highway 406 and Highway 416 | date=24 April 2024 }}

"N/A" means there is no such roadway in the province or territory. This table contains the statutory maximum speed limits, in kilometres per hour, on roads in each category.

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|British Columbia}} British Columbia||{{convert|110|kph|abbr=on|0}} except {{convert|120|kph|abbr=on|0}} Coquihalla Highway 5 || {{convert|90|kph|abbr=on|0}} || {{convert|90|kph|abbr=on|0}} to {{convert|100|kph|abbr=on|0}} || {{convert|80|kph|abbr=on|0}} to {{convert|100|kph|abbr=on|0}} || 50 km/h (31 mph) {{Cite web|date= 15 June 2021|title=MOTOR VEHICLE ACT [RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 318|url=https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96318_05|access-date=2021-07-15|website=bclaws.gov.bc.ca}}

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|Manitoba}} Manitoba||90 km/h (56 mph){{Cite web|date=February 2019|title=Guide to Develop a Speed Limit Bylaw|url=https://www.gov.mb.ca/mit/traffic/pdf/speed/speed_bylaw_guide.pdf|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Government of Manitoba}}

| 50 km/h (31 mph)||90 km/h (56 mph)

| 90 km/h (56 mph)||50 km/h (31 mph)

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|New Brunswick}} New Brunswick|| || || || ||

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|Newfoundland and Labrador}} Newfoundland and Labrador||100 km/h (62 mph)||100 km/h (62 mph)|| 100 km/h (62 mph)||80 km/h (50 mph)|| 50 km/h (31 mph)

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|Northwest Territories}} Northwest Territories|| || || || ||

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|align="left"|{{flagicon|Nova Scotia}} Nova Scotia|| || || || ||

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|Nunavut}} Nunavut|| colspan="3" |N/A||90 km/h (56 mph)|| 50 km/h (31 mph)

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|Ontario}} Ontario|| {{Convert|100|km/h|abbr=on}}|| {{Convert|100|km/h|abbr=on}}|| {{Convert|80|km/h|abbr=on}}|| {{Convert|80|km/h|abbr=on}}||{{Convert|50|km/h|abbr=on}}

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|Prince Edward Island}} Prince Edward Island|| colspan="3" |N/A|| ||

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|Saskatchewan}} Saskatchewan|| 90-110 km/h (56-68 mph)|| 90-110 km/h (56-68 mph)|| 90-110 km/h (56-68 mph)|| 80 km/h (50 mph)||50 km/h (31 mph)

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|Québec}} Québec{{Cite web |title=Ministère des transports du Québec |url=https://www.quebec.ca/en/transports/circulation-securite-routiere/traffic-rules-tips-for-all-vehicles/speed-limit}}|| 100 km/h (62mph)|| {{Convert|70|km/h|abbr=on}}|| 90 km/h (56 mph)||{{Convert|70-90|km/h|abbr=on}}

|50 km/h (31 mph)

|-

|align="left"|{{flagicon|Yukon}} Yukon|| colspan="2" |N/A|| || ||

|}

Posted speed limits may differ significantly from the statutory speed limit. For example, in Alberta, Highway 1A has a statutory maximum speed limit of 100 km/h but a posted speed limit of 30 km/h near {{Coord|51.169832|N|115.658684|W}}.

The highest speed limit in Canada is found on British Columbia's Coquihalla Highway with a speed limit of {{cvt|120|km/h}}.{{cite news |last=Greson |first=Jen |date=July 3, 2014 |title=B.C. speed limit bump to 120 km/h reflects growing consensus that faster is often safer |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/b-c-speed-limit-bump-to-120-kmh-reflects-growing-consensus-that-faster-is-often-safer |work=National Post |accessdate=April 14, 2023}} Formerly, British Columbia's Okanagan Connector and Highway 19 also possessed 120 km/h limits, but were reduced to 110 km/h in 2018 to address an increase in collisions.{{cite news |date=November 6, 2018 |title=Speed limits lowered across B.C. — but not on the Coquihalla |url=https://www.merrittherald.com/speed-limits-lowered-across-b-c-but-not-on-the-coquihalla/ |work=Merritt Herald |accessdate=April 14, 2023}}

This table contains typical daytime speed limits, in kilometres per hour, on typical roads in each category. The values shown are not necessarily the fastest or slowest posted limit.

File:Demerit point warning on King's Highway 12 in Ontario, Canada.jpg

File:Highway 2 Speed Limit 110.JPG in New Brunswick]]

File:Maximum 120 sign in BC.JPG, north of Parksville; {{as of|2014|lc=yes}} this is the highest signed speed limit in Canada]]

In Ontario, speeding fines double in areas identified as "Community Safety Zones".

In most Canadian provinces, as in most other locales, speed violation fines are double (or more) in construction zones, although in Ontario and Alberta, this only applies if workers are present in the construction zone.

In Ontario, as of September 2007, drivers caught exceeding the posted speed limit by 50 km/h or more may have the vehicle that they are driving impounded immediately for seven days, have their licence suspended for seven days, and have to appear before the court. For a first conviction, they face an additional $2,000–$10,000 fine and six demerit points; they may also face up to six months in jail and licence suspension of up to two years. For a second conviction within 10 years of the first conviction, their licence may be suspended for up to 10 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/070455|title=Law Document English View|date=24 July 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823024120/https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/070455|archive-date=23 August 2017}}

Since 2009 in both Ontario{{cite news |title=Ontario court declares speed limiters for trucks unconstitutional |first=Richard J. |last=Brennan |newspaper=Toronto Star |date=7 June 2012 |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2012/06/07/ontario_court_declares_speed_limiters_for_trucks_unconstitutional.html |accessdate=29 July 2019}} and Québec,{{cite news |title=Quebec truckers admit to tampering with speed limiters |website=CBC News |date=24 April 2012 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-truckers-admit-to-tampering-with-speed-limiters-1.1265446 |accessdate=29 July 2019}} trucks must be equipped with devices to electronically limit their speed to {{cvt|105|km/h}}. In 2012, an Ontario court ruled that the law violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, however the law was upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal in 2015.{{cite news |title=Court rejects truckers' bid to go faster on Ontario highways |first=Samantha |last=Craggs |website=CBC News |date=3 September 2015 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/court-rejects-truckers-bid-to-go-faster-on-ontario-highways-1.3213418 |accessdate=29 July 2019}} In April 2024, 105 km/h speed limiters also became mandatory for commercial trucks in British Columbia.{{cite press release |author= |title=Mandatory devices limit speed for commercial trucks in British Columbia |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/30598|location=Victoria, BC |publisher= |agency=British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure |date=3 April 2024 |access-date=2024-06-04}}

Radar detectors in Canada are legal only in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. They are illegal to use or possess in the other provinces and all three territories. Regardless of whether they are used or not, police and law enforcement officers may confiscate radar detectors, operational or not, and impose substantial fines in provinces where radar detectors are illegal.{{cite web |url=https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html |title=United States Department of State: Consular Information Sheet for Canada |publisher=Travel.state.gov |access-date=2010-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913113532/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html |archive-date=2008-09-13 }} Quebec penalizes $500 for use of a radar detector, along with confiscation of the device.{{cite web |url=http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/faqvoyager0.html |title=Getting around Québec |access-date=2011-07-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823051712/http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/faqvoyager0.html |archive-date=2010-08-23 }}

A speed limit sign reads "MAXIMUM XX", such as "MAXIMUM 80" for 80 km/h. A minimum speed sign reads "XX MINIMUM", such as "60 MINIMUM" for 60 km/h.

File:CA-ON road sign Rb-001-060.svg|Speed limit sign

File:Québec P-070-1-60.svg|Minimum speed limit sign

File:Canada - Speed Limit (50 kmh).svg|Speed limit sign in Ontario

File:British Columbia R-4.svg|Speed limit sign in British Columbia and Yukon

File:Ontario Rb-5.svg|Upcoming/advance notice of speed limit change sign

File:British Columbia R-3.svg|Upcoming/advance notice of speed limit change sign in British Columbia and Yukon

File:Ontario Rb-3.svg|Speed limit change sign in Ontario

File:Québec P-070-4-40.svg|Speed limit sign in Quebec

File:British Columbia R-5.svg|Speed limit ends sign in British Columbia

File:Québec D-110-P-2-45.svg|Recommended speed sign

File:Québec D-120-55.svg|Exit recommended speed sign in Quebec; Anglophone signs read EXIT or RAMP

File:Ontario Wa-32.svg|Exit recommended speed sign in Ontario

File:British Columbia I-106-100.svg|Metric signage reminder in British Columbia, posted on highways near the US border, to and from ferry terminals on Vancouver Island, and international airports

File:Québec I-400.svg|Metric signage reminder in Quebec, posted near US border

In British Columbia, a review of speed limits conducted in 2002 and 2003 for the Ministry of Transportation found that posted limits on investigated roads were unrealistically low for 1,309 km and unrealistically high for 208 km. The report recommended increasing speed limits on multi-lane limited-access highways constructed to high design standards from 110 km/h to 120 km/h.{{cite web|url=http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/eng_publications/speed_review/Speed_Review_Report.pdf|title=MoT Speed Review Report|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229232524/http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/Publications/eng_publications/speed_review/Speed_Review_Report.pdf|archive-date=2009-12-29}} As described in that report, the Ministry is currently using "Technical Circular T-10/00 ... to assess speed limits. The practice considers the 85th percentile speed, road geometry, roadside development, and crash history." In July 2014, speed limits were adjusted on many of the province's highways, including some which were increased to {{convert|120|km/h|abbr=on}}, currently the highest speed limit in Canada.{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/speed-limits-on-some-b-c-highways-to-hit-120-km-h-1.2694277 |title=Speed limits on some B.C. highways to hit 120 km/h |work=CBC News |date=2 July 2014 |access-date=9 December 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119083845/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/speed-limits-on-some-b-c-highways-to-hit-120-km-h-1.2694277 |archive-date=19 November 2015 }}

Ontario's first provincial legislation governing automobile use came into effect in 1903, which included a {{cvt|15|mph}} speed limit. The first provincial Highway Traffic Act (passed in 1923){{Cite web|url=https://lifesafer.ca/blog/changes-highway-traffic-act-coming-ontario/|title=Changes To The Highway Traffic Act Coming In Ontario|date=2015-03-06|website=LifeSafer of Canada|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-04-27|quote=Although the act itself has been around since 1923 ...}} changed the speed limit for highways to {{cvt|25|mph}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/about/mto-100/index.shtml#1960s|title=History of Ministry of Transportation|first=Ministry of Transportation|last=Government of Ontario|website=www.mto.gov.on.ca}}

Limits were later increased, for rural roads, to {{cvt|50|mph}} and then again to {{cvt|60|mph}}. In 1968, the maximum speed limit for freeways was raised to {{cvt|70|mph}}. In 1976, the maximum speed limit for freeways was reduced to 60 mph, while the rural limit was reduced to 50 mph, except for main highways running through northern Ontario, which were reduced to 55 mph.

In 1977, highways started using the metric system, with speeds being increased slightly to a maximum ranging from {{cvt|80|to|100|km/h}}.

In 2013, "speed too fast / exceed speed limit" contributed to 18.4% of all collisions,{{cite web | title = Table 2.8: Apparent Driver Action by Class of Collision, 2013 | publisher = Ontario Ministry of Transportation | date = 2014 | url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/pdfs/ontario-road-safety-annual-report-2013.pdf | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170516205417/http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/pdfs/ontario-road-safety-annual-report-2013.pdf | archive-date = 2017-05-16 }} while "speeding" accounted for 55.2% of all driving convictions.{{cite web | title = Table 7.2: Motor Vehicle Convictions Related to the Highway Traffic Act, 2013 | publisher = Ontario Ministry of Transportation | date = 2014 | url = http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/pdfs/ontario-road-safety-annual-report-2013.pdf | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170516205417/http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/pdfs/ontario-road-safety-annual-report-2013.pdf | archive-date = 2017-05-16 }} An Ontario-based group is lobbying to increase speed limits from 100 km/h to {{cvt|120|to|130|km/h}}.{{cite web|url=http://digitaljournal.com/article/323216|title=Ontario org. wants highway speed limits increased from 100 km/h|date=18 April 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422054349/http://digitaljournal.com/article/323216|archive-date=22 April 2012}}

In 2015, the Ontario government announced a plan to reduce residential speed limits from the statutory default 50 km/h, either by reducing the statutory limit to 40 km/h or by giving municipalities the option to set their own statutory speed limits, as well as allowing posted speed limits in school zones to be lowered to 30 km/h.{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/lower-residential-speed-limit-considered-by-ontario-government-1.2936050 |title=Lower residential speed limit considered by Ontario government |work=CBC News Ottawa |date=29 January 2015 |access-date=9 December 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204194551/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/lower-residential-speed-limit-considered-by-ontario-government-1.2936050 |archive-date=4 December 2015 }}

On September 26, 2019, speed limits were raised in a two-year trial to {{cvt|110|km/h}} from {{cvt|100|km/h}} as part of a pilot across a {{Convert|90|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch of Highway 402 from London to Sarnia, a {{Convert|32|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch of the Queen Elizabeth Way from Hamilton to St. Catharines, and a {{Convert|102|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch of Highway 417 from Ottawa to the Ontario / Québec border.{{cite web |last=Winterburn |first=Mike |date=May 10, 2019 |title=Ontario Introduces Speed Limit Pilots and Consultations |url=https://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2019/05/ontario-introduces-speed-limit-pilots-and-consultations.html |publisher=Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |type=Press Release}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/highway-speed-limits-jump-to-110-km-h-in-pilot-project-1.5295253|title=Highway speed limits jump to 110 km/h in pilot project|publisher=cbc.ca|date=September 24, 2019}} In 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reducing traffic in 2020, the trial was extended until 2023.{{Cite web |title=Raising speed limits on Ontario highways |url=http://www.ontario.ca/page/speed-limit-pilot-ontario-highways |url-status=deviated |access-date=2021-11-25 |publisher=Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |language=en}} On April 22, 2022, the above trialed sections were made permanent, in addition to three additional stretches, a {{Convert|41|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch of Highway 417 from Kanata to Arnprior, a {{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch of Highway 401 from Windsor to Tilbury, and a {{Convert|16|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch of Highway 404 from Newmarket to the north end of the highway. Another two stretches started a {{cvt|110|km/h}} speed limit trial, a {{Convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch of Highway 400 from MacTier to Nobel, and a {{Convert|41|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch of Highway 11 from Emsdale to South River.{{cite web |date=March 29, 2022 |title=Ontario to permanently set speed limits on some highway sections at 110 km/h |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-to-permanently-set-speed-limits-on-some-highway-sections-at-110-km-h-1.5838897 |publisher=toronto.ctvnews.ca}}{{Cite web |last=Brasier |first=Dakota |last2=Ikotun |first2=Simisola |date=March 29, 2022 |title=Ontario Raising Highway Speed Limits |url=https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001886/ontario-raising-highway-speed-limits |access-date=July 15, 2024 |publisher=Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |type=Press Release}} On July 12, 2024, the two trialed sections were made permanent, in addition to 10 more stetches. Five of the additional stretches were on Highway 401, a {{Convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch extending the existing {{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch further east, a {{Convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch between Highway 35 / 115 and Cobourg, a {{Convert|44|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch between Colborne and Belleville, a {{Convert|66|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch between Belleville and Kingston, and a {{Convert|107|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch between Highway 16 and the Ontario / Québec border. Two of the additional stretches were on Highway 403, a {{Convert|26|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch between Woodstock and Brantford, and a {{Convert|14.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch between Brantford and Hamilton. The remaining additional stretches were on Highway 69 with a {{Convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch between Sudbury and French River, on Highway 416 with a {{Convert|70|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch between near Highway 401 and {{Convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of the north end of the highway,{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Speed limit rising to 110 km/h on Hwy 416, parts of 401 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/highway-speed-limit-ontario-110-change-1.7183162 |access-date=July 15, 2024 |publisher=CBC News |type=News Release}} and on Highway 406 with a {{Convert|13|km|mi|abbr=on}} stretch between Thorold and Welland, although it only took effect some time later in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Brasier |first=Dakota |last2=Blazina |first2=Tanya |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Ontario Raising Highway Speed Limits |url=https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004476/ontario-raising-highway-speed-limits |access-date=July 15, 2024 |publisher=Ministry of Transportation of Ontario |type=Press Release}}{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Codi |date=July 12, 2024 |title=Higher speed limits are now in effect on stretches of 400-series highways in Ontario |url=https://www.cp24.com/news/higher-speed-limits-are-now-in-effect-on-stretches-of-400-series-highways-in-ontario-1.6961451 |access-date=July 15, 2024 |publisher=CP24 |type=News Release}} On October 2, 2024, Doug Ford mentioned in a news conference that he had directed Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria to explore raising the speed limit to {{Convert|110|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} on all remaining 400-series highway sections "where it is safe to do so".{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Allison |date=October 2, 2024 |title=Ontario plans to raise speed limit on 400-series highways, premier says |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ontario-raise-speed-limit-400-series-highways |access-date=October 13, 2024 |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |type=News Release}}

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Canada

Category:Road transport in Canada

Category:Canadian transport law