11/11/2025
..."Smith pointed out the potential mismatch between road construction standards and existing speed limits, stating, “Do we have roads that have been constructed for (and) could tolerate a higher level of speed, but because the speed is not set to what the road allowance is we are ending up with people getting tickets, getting slowed down, and problems as a result of that?” She posed the question, “If the QE2 has been built and rated for 120 km/h, why aren’t we letting people drive 120 km/h?”
Currently, Alberta’s speed limits on divided highways range from 100 to 110 km/h, while those on highways through First Nation territories, cities, and other municipalities can be as low as 50 km/h to accommodate factors like intersections, traffic signals, pedestrians, and local access roads.
Dreeshen noted that advancements in vehicle technology and heightened public awareness mean it is time to consider higher speed limits. “We want Albertans to be able to drive the speed limit that the highways are designed for,” he remarked.
In addition to the proposed speed limit adjustments, it is noteworthy that the Alberta government has also made significant changes to traffic enforcement. Earlier this year, the government eliminated photo radar on all provincial highways, excluding select areas such as school zones, playgrounds, and construction sites. This decision has reduced the number of photo radar locations by approximately 70 percent. Furthermore, the use of “speed on green” cameras meant for intersection safety has been banned, now limiting their function strictly to red light enforcement.
These developments indicate a shift in the Alberta government’s approach to traffic regulation, aiming to enhance both speed regulations and enforcement practices."
