When the maximum speed limit hits 110 km/hr. on sections of certain 400 series highways this July, OPP SGT. Kerry Schmidt with the highway safety division says the stunt driving threshold will not change.
Schmidt says the decision by the Ministry of Transportation to increase the speed limit on sections of some 400 series highways has been a careful work in progress.
Schmidt notes motorists need to remember that regardless of what the posted speed limit is the number is a maximum tied to driving conditions including the average speed vehicles are moving at at a particular time.
Schmidt says that’s why you as an operator of a vehicle, have to be hyper aware of what’s happening around you and see what’s taking place way down the road.
Schmidt says with the increase in the posted speed limit driver reaction time is a safety factor.
Lastly Schmidt says the ability to legally drive faster still isn’t a license to take risks.
July 12th is when the new posted maximum speed limits will be in place on most of the sections of 400 series highways in Ontario noted below.
Highway 416 from Highway 401 to Ottawa (approximately 70 km)
Highway 401 from Hwy 16 to Quebec boundary (approximately 107 km)
Highway 401 from Belleville to Kingston (approximately 66 km)
Highway 401 from Colborne to Belleville (approximately 44 km)
Highway 401 from Highway 35/115 to Cobourg (approximately 35 km)
Highway 401, Tilbury, extending the existing 110 km/h zone further east by seven kilometres.
Highway 406 from Thorold to Welland (approximately 13 km)
Highway 403 from Brantford to Hamilton (approximately 14.5 km)
Highway 403 from Woodstock to Brantford (approximately 26 km)
One non-400 series highway is affected. The section of Highway 69 from Sudbury to French River will have a higher posted maximum speed limit for approximately 60 km.
Story by John Brenner