Highways in Canada

[ssiguy]

Exactly.

Freeways are the safest roads we have and yet have the highest speed limits.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

People use common sense. When was the last time you ever saw anyone go 120 during a snow or rain storm......never.

Not my experience. I drove between Kingston and Toronto numerous times during winter the past few years and even in snowing and slippery conditions, a lot of the traffic was well above 100 km/h. Last winter I also drove between Kingston and Ottawa a number of times in very poor conditions, and a lot of the traffic on Highway 15 was going way too fast.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by FrAnKs

Excuse me, but safety and speed has nothing to do together.
A slow drunk driver doing 70 on the 401 is more dangerous than a careful driver doing 135-140.

Speed is not killing. Bad drivers habits do.

While I agree that bad driving habits and drinking alcohol are usually the major factors, I disagree that speed has little do with it. Accidents are more likely to be deadly when travelling at higher speeds.

Are there any other reasons why Ontario's highways and roads are rated the safest? I've travelled almost everywhere in North America and Ontario definitely does have the lowest speed limits which is something that is different.

[Klazu]

One thing I don't understand here in Canada is that there are no winter speed limits. Or is it just BC where we have same limits in summer and winter?

In Nordic Countries the speed limist are reduced by 20km/h for the winter which is IMO very wise considering how different the driving conditions are. In here you can (and many are crazy enough to) do 120km/h (plus the standard 10km/h speeding) on mountain highways like Coquihalla Highway in winter conditions which is VERY dangerous.

Such speeds also make rocks fly on roads that they try keep from getting slippery by using gravel. I have lost few windshields to that.

[Loco101]

I'm not aware of any Winter speed limits in Ontario or Quebec. I've never spent any time in any other province in Winter.

I agree with you that the Nordic countries do it well when it comes to having driver adjust their speeds for the conditions. Driving in Northern Ontario in Winter can be very dangerous at times and the terrain here is very similar to that in Sweden and Finland.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Klazu

One thing I don't understand here in Canada is that there are no winter speed limits. Or is it just BC where we have same limits in summer and winter?

In Nordic Countries the speed limist are reduced by 20km/h for the winter which is IMO very wise considering how different the driving conditions are. In here you can (and many are crazy enough to) do 120km/h (plus the standard 10km/h speeding) on mountain highways like Coquihalla Highway in winter conditions which is VERY dangerous.

Such speeds also make rocks fly on roads that they try keep from getting slippery by using gravel. I have lost few windshields to that.

They also have electronic signs in the Nordics that change the speed limit according to weather conditions. There is no use having the speed limit set a 80 kmh on the 401 just because it's December 22 if there is not a speck of snow or ice on the road.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by Acajack

They also have electronic signs in the Nordics that change the speed limit according to weather conditions. There is no use having the speed limit set a 80 kmh on the 401 just because it's December 22 if there is not a speck of snow or ice on the road.

Changeable signs would be a great solution. Reality iss, in the middle of winter, on a bright sunny day, the roads are no worse than during a sunny day in the summer.

[FrAnKs]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

Another outstanding production. Great trip down memory lane. I used to take that highway once or twice a week for skiing...back in the late seventies through the late eighties, and then less often. Much more development nowadays along it.

My pleasure dude !

And it's true, when I get back in Laval or Basses-Laurentides area, I am still surprised by all that activity ! ... After all, Montreal suburbs are the fastest growing area of the province, part of the second metro area of the country !

[hipster duck]

Electronic signs with variable speed limits also help in congested urban areas. It avoids the sudden braking and merging that is both a cause and symptom of traffic jams.

While this is very common in European cities, the only place I've ever seen this in North America is on I-5 in Seattle.

[Procrastinational]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

When was the last time you ever saw anyone go 120 during a snow or rain storm......never.

Actually I'm always quite shocked at the number of people I see doing this. Every time I've driven on the Coquihalla in the pouring rain, I've been passed by numerous people ripping along at about 130, and tailgating aggressively to pass anyone they come across in the left lane. All while there is significant potential for hydroplaning and poor visibility.

The worst offenders are always lifted pickup trucks.

I'm all for higher speed limits, but before we can even think about that, they need to crack down and get these idiots off the road.

[go_leafs_go02]

The Coq will have variable speed limits introduced on them likely next year. Don't think they were able to get them installed by this fall, but i could be wrong.

Definitely think the 401 should be 120 or 130 with then variable limits through snow belt areas and urban sections.

100 km/h on there is ridiculous and no one goes it.

[VANRIDERFAN]

Originally Posted by Procrastinational

Actually I'm always quite shocked at the number of people I see doing this. Every time I've driven on the Coquihalla in the pouring rain, I've been passed by numerous people ripping along at about 130, and tailgating aggressively to pass anyone they come across in the left lane. All while there is significant potential for hydroplaning and poor visibility.

The worst offenders are always lifted pickup trucks.

I'm all for higher speed limits, but before we can even think about that, they need to crack down and get these idiots off the road.

In my experience its usually sports cars and SUV's.

I do remember being passed at the hairpin corner just north of Rogers Pass by an old Ford Tempo sporting a donut tire on the rear passenger side. It had BC plates as well. It was snowing like crazy at the time. Never saw that car again, did it make it to its destination or go flying off a cliff? Never found out.

[Mister F]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Few are advocating higher speed limits on regular 2 lane roads

Higher speed limits on these roads would be perfectly reasonable in Ontario. Most of them are posted at 80, compared to 90 in Quebec and 100 in BC. These roads are built for 100, people drive 100, and the police enforce 100. 80 doesn't make any sense.

[Klazu]

Originally Posted by Acajack

They also have electronic signs in the Nordics that change the speed limit according to weather conditions.

I haven't driven that much in other Nordic Countries, but at least in Finland electronic signs are not that common yet. Also, where we have those, they are poorly utilized and I have yet to see a situation where they would really take use of those and change the speed based on weather conditions.

The only thing they use them for seems to be changing from summer to winter limit twice a year, which makes for a lot of wasted potential.

Originally Posted by Procrastinational

Actually I'm always quite shocked at the number of people I see doing this. Every time I've driven on the Coquihalla in the pouring rain, I've been passed by numerous people ripping along at about 130, and tailgating aggressively to pass anyone they come across in the left lane. All while there is significant potential for hydroplaning and poor visibility.

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

I do remember being passed at the hairpin corner just north of Rogers Pass by an old Ford Tempo sporting a donut tire on the rear passenger side. It had BC plates as well. It was snowing like crazy at the time. Never saw that car again, did it make it to its destination or go flying off a cliff. Never found out.

I drive Coquihalla Highway only few times a year, but have been there during bad weather and have witnessed exactly what you guys describe. There are idiots blowing 130km/h no matter what the conditions and their car. It is no wonder we have a reality show like Highway Thru Hell taking place on this specific highway. People driving there trust their cars and tires way too much.

[jmt18325]

Originally Posted by hipster duck

While this is very common in European cities, the only place I've ever seen this in North America is on I-5 in Seattle.

I saw them on I-87 north of NYC.

[Stingray2004]

Originally Posted by Procrastinational

Every time I've driven on the Coquihalla in the pouring rain, I've been passed by numerous people ripping along at about 130, and tailgating aggressively to pass anyone they come across in the left lane. All while there is significant potential for hydroplaning and poor visibility.

Back during the 1960's/1970's, Hwy 99 (south of Massey Tunnel), Hwy 17 (to ferry terminal), and Hwy 1 (east of Port Mann Bridge) all had 70 mph speed limits. And below the these speed limit signs - a yellow cautionary sign was also placed stating "SLOWER WHEN WET". Can't find a pic online right now.

Methinks that they should re-instate those cautionary signs for obvious reasons.

[manny_santos]

Originally Posted by Mister F

Higher speed limits on these roads would be perfectly reasonable in Ontario. Most of them are posted at 80, compared to 90 in Quebec and 100 in BC. These roads are built for 100, people drive 100, and the police enforce 100. 80 doesn't make any sense.

Some of the former provincial highways in Middlesex County in Ontario were increased to 90 km/h, including Highway 2 (west of Delaware) and Highway 22. They also have posted some major county roads, including 20 and 23 north of London, at 90.

I believe some county roads in Huron County are also posted at 90. As for provincial two-lane highways, Highway 655 north of Timmins is posted at 90, and I believe much of Highways 11 and 17 also are.

I think some of the more major arterial highways in Southern Ontario, such as 7 in Eastern Ontario, should be 90 or 100.

[Glacier]

Originally Posted by Klazu

I laughed at them presenting BC as the province with the highest posted speed limits in the country. They showed Coquihalla Highway (120km/h) but didn't mention the new 8-lane Highway 1 which is ridiculous 90km/h.

Exactly! Not only that, but cruse control is not used in BC for the most part. Too many slow car and slow corners slowing you down every few minutes.

I drove to Wisconsin a couple of years ago. 90km/h through most of BC until Alberta. Then smooth sailing at 120km for most of the way to Kenora, Ontario (I may have been speeding, which is actually possible outside of BC). Then 100km/h to 110km/h down to Wisconsin. Then 120 to 130km/h back across the States. Even the tiny narrow 2 lane highway in Montana was 70 mph (110km/h). Not that I could do that fast all the time because it was a small windy road, but I could at least do 110 most of the time.

Then I hit the BC border, and I had to do 80km/h or less all the way home (try highway 6 if you like windy roads).

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by manny_santos

Some of the former provincial highways in Middlesex County in Ontario were increased to 90 km/h, including Highway 2 (west of Delaware) and Highway 22. They also have posted some major county roads, including 20 and 23 north of London, at 90.

I believe some county roads in Huron County are also posted at 90. As for provincial two-lane highways, Highway 655 north of Timmins is posted at 90, and I believe much of Highways 11 and 17 also are.

I think some of the more major arterial highways in Southern Ontario, such as 7 in Eastern Ontario, should be 90 or 100.

Yes, your information does seem to be correct.

For Northern Ontario here are the two-lane highways that have a maximum of 90km/h:

-Highway 655 is the only secondary highway in the province that has a 90 speed limit as far as I know. There is a short section from Algonquin Blvd (Hwy 101) to Ross Avenue where the maximum is 80 then it is 90 all of the way to its end at Hwy 11.

-Highways 11 and 17 have a maximum of 90 outside of cities and towns.

-Highway 101 has two sections that are 90 (from outside Wawa to the Hwy 547 junction as well as between Porcupine and Matheson)

-Highway 66 from Kenogami to the Quebec border is 90 except when going through towns. It is a connector highway between the Northern Routes of the Trans-Canada highway in Ontario and Quebec.

-Highway 61, pretty much its entire length from the Minnesota border to Thunder Bay

-Highway 71 in the Northwest for its entire length except in some built up areas including Sioux Narrows

-Highway 102 which is an alternate and faster route heading West from Thunder Bay branches off the Trans-Canada 11/17 in T-Bay and intersects with the 11/17 again. The 11/17 takes a big bend after Thunder Bay when heading West and goes through Kakabeka Falls. The route takes quite a dip to the South before coming back North to Thunder Bay so Hwy 102 avoids that unnecessary dip. Even the 11/17 alignment has been recently changed but 102 is still much shorter.

[Loco101]

Highways in Northern Ontario with a maximum speed of 100km/h

-Highway 17 within the west part of Greater Sudbury (between Lively and Whitefish) there is a short freeway section

-Highway 69 from the South part of Sudbury almost to the Highway 64 intersection. The section is freeway and will soon be extended to the French River.

-Highway 11 from the interchange with Hwy 17 in North Bay going South to the Parry Sound Districts boundary, freeway section. The maximum continues to be 100 all the way down to Gravenhurst but of course all of that is in Southern Ontario.