The Alberta government is considering a significant increase to speed limits on two of the province's most important transportation corridors. Proposed changes would raise the maximum speed to 120 km/h on both the Queen Elizabeth II Highway and the Trans-Canada Highway, bringing the legal limit more in line with actual driving behavior.
Current Driving Patterns vs. Proposed Limits
According to provincial calculations, the average speed motorists already drive on these divided highways falls between 120 and 125 km/h. This means the proposed increase would essentially legalize what most drivers are already doing routinely. The change reflects a practical approach to traffic management that acknowledges reality rather than enforcing unrealistic restrictions.
Lorne Gunter, a columnist who supports the proposal, suggests he would even favor a 130 km/h limit. His perspective is informed by an interview he conducted years ago with the head of the Montana Highway Patrol, who revealed that enforcement practices matter more than posted limits. When Montana had unlimited speed limits requiring "reasonable and prudent" driving, enforcement focused on truly dangerous behavior rather than arbitrary numbers.
Enforcement Reality on Alberta Highways
The practical enforcement threshold on Alberta highways currently allows drivers significant leeway. With the existing 110 km/h limit, police typically don't issue tickets until vehicles exceed 130 km/h. This creates a 20 km/h buffer zone where drivers can operate without fear of penalty, establishing a de facto speed limit higher than the posted one.
This enforcement pattern suggests that raising the official limit to 120 km/h might result in drivers feeling comfortable traveling at 140 km/h before attracting police attention. The relationship between posted limits and enforced limits creates a predictable gap that experienced drivers understand and utilize.
Safety Considerations Beyond Simple Speed
While conventional wisdom suggests that "speed kills," traffic safety experts recognize that being out of sync with traffic flow poses greater dangers than absolute speed. Driving 20 km/h slower than surrounding traffic can be as hazardous as driving 20 km/h faster. Vehicles moving significantly below the average speed create obstacles that force other drivers to make dangerous evasive maneuvers.
Proper lane discipline becomes crucial regardless of speed limits. Slower vehicles should remain in the right lane to allow smoother traffic flow and reduce collision risks. The proposed speed limit increase acknowledges that uniform traffic movement enhances safety more effectively than artificially low speed restrictions.
Some opponents have raised concerns about increased emissions at higher speeds, though this argument often takes secondary importance to practical traffic management considerations. The Alberta government's proposal represents a data-driven approach to transportation policy that prioritizes realistic enforcement and traffic harmony over theoretical ideals.
