Surely it is time to rationalize the speed limits on Chemainus Road. In the 2.5 km from Cook Street in the north to Henry Road in the south, there are no less than eight changes of posted speed, some barely 100 m apart.
The default in-town limit for Chemainus Road appears to be 40 kph.
However, this is impacted by a seasonal school zone of 30 kph and three traffic circles, also with limits of 30 kph. There are in addition 12 street intersections and 13 pedestrian crosswalks, three of which have manually operated flashing lights. And, as if this were not enough, there are, inexplicably, two stretches of roadway with posted speeds of 50 kph!
Local drivers are well aware of the hazards, risks and courtesies required to safely traverse this important thoroughfare. Faced with a veritable potpourri of speed limit signage, visitors, tourists or simply the lost and confused cannot perhaps be blamed for being unclear about our intentions in this matter.
Isn’t it time to clarify the situation and adopt, say, a simple 40 and 30 kph system that would benefit everyone and make our town just a little safer?
Tom Masters,
Chemainus