The City of Kawartha Lakes is rolling out its “40 is the new 50” community speed reduction campaign, first launched in fall 2021, to five more rural communities this summer.
The municipality currently enforces a speed by-law for designated areas within towns, villages, settlement areas, and hamlets known as “community speed zones” that outline a speed limit of 50 km per hour. These zones will be reduced to 40 km per hour.
As part of the first phase of the project, Seagrave, Sonya, Little Britain, Oakwood, and Woodville will be receiving 40 km/h signs this summer — joining Manilla, Kinmount, Kirkfield, Coboconk, Burnt River, Pontypool, and Janetville. The final rural communities to receive signs will be Bethany, Noland, Omemee, and Victoria Road.
In the second phase of the project involving urban areas, Bobcaygeon, Lindsay, and Fenelon Falls will receive signs before September 2023.
The municipality says the “40 is the new 50” campaign is designed to help improve motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian safety.
“Community safety and well-being is our overall priority and we know that slower speeds lead to fewer collisions and less serious injuries,” says Kawartha Lakes OPP inspector Tim Tatchell in a media release. “Members of the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP Detachment will continue to work closely with the municipality to reduce the overall speeds in these designated communities.”
Residents in rural communities can request a lawn sign to reinforce the “40 is the new 50” campaign.
For more information about the campaign, including maps and an FAQ, visit kawarthalakes.ca/en/municipal-services/community-area-speed-limit-project.aspx.
