The City of Selkirk is partnering with Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) to remind motorists to drive within the speed limit and keep the city safe.
MPI has provided the city with two digital speed signs that can be used for the next five years.
The speed signs align with Selkirk’s Strategic Plan that calls for smooth operation of transportation systems and making the city a vibrant, safe and healthy community.
Kristy Hill, Director of Protective Services, says the signs will be placed strategically to have the most impact.
“We know there are areas of the city where drivers need to be reminded of safe travel speeds,” Hill says.
“The purpose of the signs are to alert drivers to their speed. Being over the speed limit on the sign does not result in a ticket, but it’s a gentle reminder that you need to slow down, you are in fact speeding. It’s a safety concern when motorists speed.”
“Being over the speed limit on the sign does not result in a ticket, but it’s a gentle reminder that you need to slow down.”
Kristy Hill, Director of Protective Services
The speed display boards are electronic signs that use radar to detect the speed of an approaching vehicle and display the speed on an LED variable message display. The speed display is typically combined with a static (non-electronic) display that includes the text “Your Speed” or something similar.
A safer transportation network
“Whether you’re a driver, pedestrian, cyclist, or a person using a mobility device, we all want a safer transportation network. Vehicles travelling at the proper speed improves safety for everyone. Making our transportation system safer is a strategic priority for the city,” said Selkirk CAO Duane Nicol.
“In addition to improving the design of our streets, the city is proud to work with MPI on this initiative that has proven effective at encouraging drivers to travel at safe speeds. This program is particularly exciting because it’s intended to be helpful and not punitive like a speeding ticket. We’d be very happy to never see another speeding ticket issued in Selkirk, if it meant that all drivers were travelling at safe speeds.”
The program was launched in 2020 and its goal, according to Satvir Jatana, former Vice President, Employee and Community Engagement with MPI and current CEO, has always been awareness and compliance.
“The intent of the speed display board is to encourage compliance with the posted speed limit by making motorists aware of their actual speed,” Jatana said.
“These high visibility signs are intended to be used as reinforcements to the maximum posted speed signs to encourage compliance.”
For a location to be considered for a speed sign, it must be an area known to have issues with driving speeds, as determined by the city and/or the RCMP, have a high rate of collisions or have a reduction in speed like a school zone or a provincial roadway that goes through the city. For now, the signs are placed in Selkirk Park and on Main Street at Heap Avenue where vehicles enter Selkirk and are asked to reduce their speed. The signs are moveable and will be relocated from time-to-time to encourage safer driving in other targeted areas.
