Coaldale’s default unposted speed limit will soon drop from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. The change will take effect in the southern Alberta town as of Sept. 1. It will apply to roads without speed limit signage, while roads with a marked maximum will not change. There will be an awareness campaign rolled out ahead of Sept. 1. On Tuesday, the town said a recent local speed study showed most drivers travel at or near 40 km/h on the affected roads anyway. The town said it was further guided by the documented relationship between vehicle speed and collision severity. Mayor Jack Van Rijn said the change is “about making Coaldale’s streets safer and more comfortable for everyone.” He called it “a practical step that supports neighbourhood safety, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, children, seniors and families.” And he said it “aligns Coaldale with a growing number of Alberta municipalities that have made similar changes.” The town of Coaldale is located approximately 11 kilometres east of Lethbridge.
