Saanich has adopted Vision Zero as our approach to road safety. This strategy aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries while providing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all road users.
Vision Zero means looking closely at how our roads are designed, how fast people drive, and what changes can make streets safer for all. Higher speeds increase the risk of crashes and serious injuries. That’s why we regularly review speed limits on key streets across Saanich and lower them where needed. These changes help create calmer streets and reduce the chance of serious crashes, especially for people most at risk.
Updates on speed limit implementation
In March 2026, Council approved updates to the Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw for all remaining streets in Saanich identified for speed limit reductions. A lower speed limit takes effect once Council approves changes to the Streets and Traffic Regulation Bylaw and new speed limit signs are installed.
We are continuing to work on the implementation of new speed limits across Saanich with the goal of all streets identified on the updated speed limit map to be reduced with installation of new speed limit signs by 2030. Changes are made in phases, with the goal of balancing safety improvements across both corridors and residential neighbourhoods.
This is a good time for those travelling in Saanich to stay aware and watch for speed limit sign changes in their neighbourhoods and on Saanich streets.
How speed limits are set
In British Columbia, the default speed limit on municipal streets is 50 km/h, as set by the BC Motor Vehicle Act. Saanich Council can set lower speed limits through local bylaws and signs, using the Speed Limit Establishment Policy as a guide. Adopted by Council in July 2022, this policy helps us decide where speed limits should be lowered to make our roads safer.
Street type plays a key role in setting speed limits in Saanich:
- Type A streets:These streets do not have a continuous yellow centre line or are identified as Neighbourhood Bikeways in the Active Transportation Plan.
The maximum speed on these streets is 30 km/h.
- Type B streets:These streets have a continuous yellow centre line or are not classified as Type A.
Speed limits for these streets are set based on the findings of a Safe Speed Study.
Neighbourhood Speed Limits
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A neighbourhood speed limit begins where drivers enter a neighbourhood from a larger collector or major road. These entry points are marked by a 30 km/h speed limit sign with a blue Neighbourhood Slow Zone tab, indicating the start of the zone. Within the neighbourhood, speed limit signs are not repeated on every street, and are posted only on the access streets. After entering the zone, the 30 km/h speed limit applies on all local streets and remains in effect until a different speed is posted. |
Documents and Reports
To learn more about how speed limits are set and changed in Saanich, see:
