Stony Plain to reduce residential speed limits

STONY PLAIN -- Residential speed limits in the Town of Stony Plain will be reduced to 40 km/h starting at the end of July. 

According to the municipality, this will see the reduction of posted speed limits on all local roads and most collector roads in residential areas from 50 km/h to 40 km/h, in an effort to "enhance road safety and support livable neighbourhoods". The change comes as part of recent amendments to the township's traffic bylaw, which passed first, second, and third readings on Apr. 27.

"A general reduction in speed limit will increase safety -- I think that's a well-known fact," said Deputy Mayor and Councillor Justin Laurie. "It doesn't matter whether if it’s a reduction to 40, 30, or 20. You reduce a speed limit, you increase stopping distance, and all those types of factors. You also reduce the amount of injury in a collision, and so forth."

The change follows a 2025 speed study conducted by the township that reviewed local and collector roads, including traffic speed data, field visits, jurisdictional scan, roadway characteristics, roadside features, and surrounding land use. Stony Plain staff say the implementation of the speed limit reduction will include changes to speed limit signage, public education and communication, and coordination with enforcement services to support a safe, well-communicated, and effective transition to the new speed limits. 

"Personally, I think a lot of what this will do is give residents a feeling of being on safer streets," said Councillor Eric Meyer. "As we've heard, most people who are driving on side streets are already doing this speed. What this will do is make it extra clear to the individual who thinks that since the speed limit is 50, I'll do 50. We hear a lot of residents complain about those people. I do think this will be a net benefit and that our residents will appreciate it."

Once the speed limits have been officially changed at the end of July, the Town of Stony Plain will begin a one-month education-focused period, during which enforcement will emphasize awareness and voluntary compliance. The costs associated with implementation, including speed limit signage replacement, entry signage, and public communication, will be absorbed in the current 2026 Operating Budget. The change is estimated to cost the Town approximately $50,000.