Slower, safer speeds coming to BU streets

Slow down, drivers! That’s the message for campus commuters, as the City of Brandon prepares to permanently reduce the speed limit near Brandon University to 30 km/h.

The new speed limit was recently approved by City Council and will take effect as soon as signs can be installed. Drivers on 20^th Street and Louise Avenue by the campus will be slowed from the current 50 km/h limit.

“This summer and fall, we’ve been working with the City to improve safety around campus, and we’re thrilled to see these new speed limits,” said BU Health and Safety Advisor Al Trotz. “Daily, I see near-misses that take my breath away, so this will be a huge help. Already this academic year, we’ve had students hit by vehicles — while in a crosswalk — and we know that slower speeds are safer.”

Slower speeds give drivers more time to see and react to people or other vehicles, and reduce the harm that’s caused if a crash does occur.

Streets through the BU campus are a great candidate for slower speeds because much of the central campus area is highly pedestrianized, while parking lots are set further out. That means there are a lot of people crossing streets as drivers seek parking.

Brandon University continues to work with the City on ways to improve safety even more.

“This summer, a new crosswalk was created from the Brodie Building to Parking Lot 10, with pavement bump outs that reduce the amount of pavement people need to cross, and as soon as weather permits we’ll paint a highly visible logo in from of the Healthy Living Centre to encourage slower driving,” Trotz said. “We’ve had many productive conversations with the City on creative solutions that could make a difference, and maybe our campus district could even be a proving ground for safety solutions that get rolled out to the entire community.”

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