Across the province, the speeds at which motorists are permitted to travel on highways change depending on the municipality and area in which they are travelling. These rates of speed are stipulated in the Highway Traffic Act.
In a local municipality or built-up area, motorists are not allowed to drive faster than 50 kmh on highways. Drivers in local municipalities that were townships as of Dec. 31, 2002, and would have been townships as of Jan. 1, 2003, if it was not for the Municipal Act in 2001, are allowed to travel at a rate of speed of 80 kmh on highways.
On controlled-access highways that the Lieutenant Governor in Council so designates as part of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, motorists may travel at 80 kmh on the highways that are not within built-up areas or local municipalities. Drivers are not allowed to travel faster than any other rate of speed that a local municipality posts on its highways or that is posted in construction zones.
Speeding is one of the many factors that contribute to traffic collisions in Ontario, as well as the rest of Canada. The victims of an auto accident resulting from a driver speeding could suffer injuries that range from whiplash and soft tissue damage to disfigurement, amputation and spine injuries.
These victims have the right to seek compensation for the financial damages that they suffer as a result of their injuries. Since some aspects of a personal injury claim may become complex, while disputes over how much compensation is fair could arise, lawyers can help victims navigate the process and secure the compensation that they deserve.