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Jasper could be about to get a whole lot slower.
Most streets in town have a speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour, with some slower 30 km/h zones.
But the municipal council is keen to see all of Jasper slow down to 30 km/h.
At their meeting on March 5, Councillor Scott Wilson brought the issue to attention with a personal story about his son nearly being hit by a car.
He said: “I live on Bonhomme, which is a 50 km/h speed limit, and there are 45 units of condos with hundreds of kids.
“My son was taking out the garbage.
“The car was not speeding but it was going quite quickly - it came two feet from running my son over.
“We should be going down to 30 km/h by these condos. There is no reason to be driving at 50 km/h in that area.”
Wilson referred to a recent transport study that said Connaught Drive should stay at 50 km/h.
“I’m not sure I agree with that,” Wilson said.
“But the rest of the town should be 30 km/h.
“I believe 30 km/h as a speed limit in the community is pretty reasonable.”
Councillor Kelleher-Empey said she agreed that the Bonhomme Street speed limit should be reduced to 30 km/h.
She said: “With the amount of children, and the schools are there, I believe we should go down to 30 km/h - but Connaught should stay at 50 km/h.”
Wilson formally put forward a motion to reduce speed limits in Jasper to go down to 30 km/h, with the exception of Connaught Drive and Sleepy Hollow Road, which would remain at 50 km/h.
Councillor Jenna McGrath said: “I have spoken to some people in the community who would like this to be dealt with sooner rather than later.
“I would like this to be on an agenda in the next few weeks.”
Council agreed to discuss speed limits in Jasper at their next meeting March 19.
