Motorists on a section of 401 through Chatham-Kent will soon be able to drive a little faster.
Back in 2022, the Ministry of Transportation launched a two-year pilot project, increasing the speed limit on six sections of highway, including the 401 from Tilbury to Windsor, to 110 kilometres an hour.
Now, the province is extending the increased limit seven kilometres east of Tilbury.
Other sections of highway with newly increased limits include the 403 from Woodstock to Brantford and Brantford to Hamilton, and several portions of the 401 in eastern Ontario.
The permanent increase in speed from 100km/h to 110km/h will cover 36 per cent of Ontario’s highway network.
Most of the newly increased limits will go into effect July 12, while the remainder will come before the end of the year.
Government officials say the highway selections were made based on their ability to safely accommodate higher speeds.
“These evidence-based increases are a common-sense change to make life more convenient for Ontario drivers while bringing our highway speed limits in line with other Canadian provinces,” said Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria in a news release.
Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan have a maximum speed limit of 110 km/h, while in British Columbia, the maximum speed limit is 120 km/h.
Stunt driving penalties will continue to apply at 150 km/h. On the highway sections with increased speed limits, stunt driving penalties will apply at 40 km/h over the posted speed limit.
