The article that I wrote two weeks ago concerning solving your own road safety problems prompted an inquiry from the East Kootenays. The writer complained that a section of Highway 31A leaving the town of New Denver was marked with a 50 zone ends speed sign and the next kilometre or so of the road had many driveways, some intersections, a pedestrian crossing for a public trail and was regularly used by cyclists and pedestrians. Some drivers, with motorcyclists singled out for special mention, regularly travel here at speeds as high as 120 km/h. Would I please have a sign put up limiting the speed to 50 or 60 km/h here?
I wish that it was as simple as posting a sign to have drivers behave safely. From my policing experience, I suspect that speed signs are probably the most commonly ignored traffic control device on any of our highways.
A quick "drive" of this segment of highway using Google Street View does find warning signs for deer, cyclists, equestrians and narrow, winding road marked with a double or single solid yellow line.
Google Street View image of the Highway 31A location discussed in this article.
The last 24 hour roadway summary available online from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit is current to 2025. It shows a total of 575 vehicles passing the counting station with a peak of 63 vehicles at 3:00 in the afternoon. It is not exceptionally busy here.
Under the Motor Vehicle Act, rural highways are automatically limited to a speed of 80 km/h unless there is a sign posted to permit something different. The use of a "50 Zone Ends" sign without the indication of a different speed is unusual. I wonder if it was intended to leave a small doubt in the driver's mind as to what the speed limit might be and result in a more gradual increase in speed here?
How are speed limits decided?
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has an excellent guide explaining how speed limits are established in British Columbia. Many factors are considered before a speed limit is chosen, including roadside development, highway geometry, traffic volume, prevailing speeds, collision history and the way the roadway has been constructed.
If you are unsure where to begin, your local MLA's constituency office (for provincial highways) or municipal councillor (for municipal roads) may be able to help identify the responsible agency and the best way to present your concern.
Whether you begin with your MLA or contact the Ministry directly, a request supported by evidence is much more likely to receive serious consideration than simply asking for another speed limit sign.
A well-researched submission showing how the location addresses the Ministry's speed zone setting criteria would be much more difficult to dismiss. Gathering that information takes time and effort, but it will result in a much stronger case than simply stating that drivers are speeding.
Rather than shoulder the responsibility alone, consider forming a community action group, even if it only includes your neighbours. Everyone has a stake in what happens where they live, and a collection of voices is more difficult to ignore than a single complaint.
Building a stronger case
If you believe there is a genuine road safety problem, don't limit your request to asking for a new speed limit sign. Instead, ask the road authority to review the location and determine whether changes are needed.
Document the problem
Begin by documenting the concern. Record where the problem occurs, when it is most noticeable, and why you believe the existing situation is unsafe. Consider whether there are homes, driveways, intersections, trails, parks, schools, cyclists or pedestrians using the roadway. The more specific your observations, the more useful they will be.
If the speeding is associated with a popular destination such as a park, beach or trail, include that information in your request. Seasonal traffic patterns and the presence of pedestrians or cyclists may be relevant to a road safety review.
If possible, support your observations with objective information rather than opinions. You can even measure vehicle speeds yourself to help determine whether speeding is occasional or a consistent problem. Always collect information safely and never place yourself or others at risk.
Work with your community
You may also find assistance from your local ICBC Road Safety Coordinator. They can often provide advice, connect you with community road safety resources or help establish a Speed Watch program. While Speed Watch volunteers do not enforce the law or issue tickets, they can help document speeding concerns and raise driver awareness.
Finally, remember that the issue may not be the posted speed limit alone. Drivers sometimes travel at a speed that is legal but still excessive for the road, traffic or weather conditions. A narrow roadway, limited sight distance, frequent driveways, pedestrian activity or access to recreational areas may justify a broader road safety review than simply installing another speed limit sign.
A speed limit sign is only one of many tools available to improve road safety. Sometimes it will be the right solution, but often a review will identify a better one. A well-documented concern, supported by the community and presented to the appropriate road authority, gives decision-makers the information they need to choose the most effective response.
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