A decision has been made by the City of Lethbridge to set a new, consistent speed of 70 km/hr on Whoop-Up Drive to improve road safety.
According to the City, this decision is intended to reduce the risk of serious collisions, and potentially tragic consequences, along one of the city’s busiest corridors.
An extensive review of Whoop-Up Drive noted several safety concerns:
- Narrow shoulders: there isn’t much room for a car to pull over or for first responders to work safely, and drivers don’t have much space to recover before they hit a solid barrier.
- Concrete barriers: the barriers sit right next to travel lanes, so any mistake on the road leads to a high-impact collision, not a safe recovery manoeuvre.
- Steep grades: the eight per cent grades on Whoop-Up Drive increase stopping distances, speed differences and winter risks.
- High/increasing traffic: current volume of about 50,000 vehicles per day raises the risk of rear-end crashes, lane conflicts and barrier impacts.
- Collisions: a higher rate of collisions has resulted in personal injury, property damage and traffic delays that compromise emergency response times.
Director of Infrastructure Services Joel Sanchez says the current 90 km/h speed limit no longer reflects modern safety standards. “Adjusting the limit to 70 km/h reduces the risk of tragic collisions and makes sure every driver, passenger and first responder has a safer journey across the river.”
Collisions statistics also support a speed reduction on Whoop-Up Drive.
This stretch of road, between Scenic Drive South and University Drive West, saw 128 collisions between 2020 and 2024. A total of 36 people were injured, three of them seriously. Aggressive driving, including unsafe speeds, was a cause in 51 of 128 collisions.
“Every collision we investigate reminds us how suddenly lives can change,” adds Insp. Russ Lawrence from the Lethbridge Police Service.
Lawrence notes a lower speed limit gives drivers more time to react. “The LPS Traffic Response Unit will ensure the new limit is enforced, as part of our ongoing commitment to public safety.”
Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Chief Greg Adair says lower speeds reduce kinetic energy involved in a collision. “Leading to fewer high-severity injuries and greater survivability. Even modest speed reductions can significantly shorten stopping distances, giving drivers more time to avoid a crash or lessen the force of impact.”
The speed reduction adds only 31 seconds to the 2.7 km trip – a minimal increase in travel time that significantly increases safety.
Consistency also plays a factor in this decision, as it eliminates the need to lower speeds during winter road conditions.
“This consistency helps eliminate confusion and frustration from motorists,” adds Sanchez. “Our priority is protecting people, and we’re confident this change will help ensure that community members arrive home safely.”
