The Illusion of Time Savings
A proposal to increase Alberta's highway speed limit from 110 to 120 km/h is facing significant criticism from safety advocates. According to analysis of similar high-speed corridors like the Coquihalla Highway, the time savings are minimal at best. Increasing speeds to 120 km/h saves only about eight and a half minutes over 186 kilometres, while pushing to 130 km/h barely saves fifteen minutes.
The Physics of Danger
The fundamental laws of physics present a sobering reality that politicians appear to be ignoring. Crash energy increases with the square of speed, meaning even modest speed increases result in dramatically more severe impacts. At 120 km/h, the force of impact jumps by approximately 19 percent compared to 110 km/h. When speeds reach 130 km/h, the collision force spikes by about 40 percent.
Trading what amounts to a coffee break's worth of time for such a substantial increase in potential injury and fatality represents what critics call magical thinking rather than sound transportation policy.
Alberta's Reality Versus German Ideals
Comparisons to Germany's Autobahn system are fundamentally flawed according to transportation experts. Alberta faces unique challenges including heavy commercial truck traffic, seasonal frost heaves, unpredictable black ice conditions, and driver education standards that wouldn't qualify a German teenager for licensing.
If the province genuinely wants faster and safer travel, critics suggest focusing on practical improvements rather than simply posting higher numbers on speed signs. Key priorities should include repairing lane surfaces, modernizing dangerous interchanges, and enhancing driver training programs rather than hoping physics will make exceptions for Alberta motorists.
The debate continues as transportation officials weigh the minimal time savings against the substantial safety risks of higher speed limits on Alberta's busiest highways.
