The change will take effect September 1, 2026, with posted speed limits continuing to apply where signs are in place.
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Coaldale Town Council has approved an amendment to the Town’s Traffic Control Bylaw that will reduce the Town’s default, unposted speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.
The change will take effect on September 1, 2026, and will apply to roads within Town limits where no speed limit is posted. Roads with posted speed limit signs will continue to follow the posted limit. This means that Highway 3, Highway 845, and 30 km/h playground zones will remain unchanged.
The decision follows a town-wide speed study conducted by the Town’s Municipal Enforcement team, which reviewed current vehicle speeds across Coaldale and compared them with speed data collected in previous years. To complete the study, the Town collected more than 326,000 vehicle observations across 16 locations. The results showed that a majority of drivers are already travelling at or near the proposed 40 km/h limit, with two-thirds of vehicles travelling below 50 km/h and roughly 95% travelling within 9 km/h of the current default limit.
“Council’s decision is about making Coaldale’s streets safer and more comfortable for everyone,” said Town of Coaldale Mayor, Jack Van Rijn. “A 40 km/h default speed limit is a practical step that supports neighbourhood safety, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, children, seniors, and families. It also aligns Coaldale with a growing number of Alberta municipalities that have made similar changes.”
The safety rationale for reducing the default speed limit is based on the relationship between vehicle speed and collision severity. Research referenced in Administration’s report shows that the risk of pedestrian fatality is approximately cut in half at an impact speed of 40 km/h, compared to 50 km/h. The report also notes that after Edmonton reduced its default speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h in 2021, a University of Alberta evaluation found approximately 25% fewer collisions and approximately 31% fewer injuries and fatalities.
“Most local trips in Coaldale are relatively short, so the practical impact on travel time will generally be seconds rather than minutes — a two-kilometre drive takes about 36 seconds longer at 40 km/h than at 50 km/h,” said Dustin Yanke, Director of Infrastructure for the Town of Coaldale. “At the same time, even modest reductions in vehicle speed can make a meaningful difference in how severe a collision is when one does happen. This change sets a safer baseline across Town, and we’ll continue monitoring speeds to guide where enforcement and traffic calming are needed most.”
To support the transition, the Town will launch a public awareness campaign before the September 1 go-live date. The campaign will include social media updates, a dedicated webpage and FAQ, newspaper advertising, billboards on Highway 3 and Highway 845, and a blanket mail out to Town residences and businesses with a QR code linking to more information.
The speed limit reduction is part of a broader traffic safety approach that will include continued monitoring and the development of a future traffic-calming guideline to help the Town respond consistently to resident traffic concerns.
Residents can learn more about the change, including what “unposted speed limit” means and where posted speed limits continue to apply, by visiting www.coaldale.ca/unposted-speed-limit-reduction.