‘Based on safety’: Minister of Transportation on Hwy 400 speed limit increase

Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, the Minister of Transportation for Ontario, says the move will help get people and goods around much quicker.

Wednesday is a big day for Connor Downs of Barrie, who’s going for his drivers licence.

“I’m a little nervous,” says Downs. “I’m excited, obviously, to be able to get on the road, but it’s obviously a little nerve-racking at first.”

On the day Connor takes his drivers test, the province has announced its plans to increase the maximum speed on most provincial highways to 110 kilometres per hour.

• Province increasing Hwy. 400 speed limit this summer

“The key focus around this is based on safety,” says Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, the Minister of Transportation for Ontario.

The maximum speed increase will go into effect within a few months.

Sarkaria says the move will help get people and goods around much quicker.

“This work is critical to improve travel times for families, commuters and workers, and will benefit millions of drivers,” says Sarkaria.

“I don’t mind it so much for the 400 series. I think it’s okay,” says Joey Burke, speaking from an enroute along Highway 400.

Al Zurawski has been a driving instructor for 35 years. He believes the increase in the maximum speed will only speed drivers up even more.

“We teach that space protects you either in front or behind,” says Zurawski. ‘When you are on a multi-lane freeway, you have to keep your vehicle staggered regardless of the speed.”

By September, 89 per cent of all provincial highways will have a maximum limit of 110 kilometres per hour.

The government says it will cut down on travel time suggesting going from Toronto to Ottawa could save drivers 30 minutes.

By the way, Downs, who took his drivers test this morning, passed.