Traffic Calming and Speed Limit Reduction

Whitehorse is a community that values healthy and safe mobility for all, regardless of how we move. The City recently adopted a new Transportation Master Plan, which establishes a long-term vision for transportation in Whitehorse, and a target to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries from Whitehorse’s transportation network by 2040.The City and its partners are committed to this goal, and traffic calming measures and speed limit reductions are among the tools being used to achieve it.

What is Traffic Calming?

Traffic calming uses engineering solutions and urban design to slow vehicle speeds, reduce traffic volumes, and enhance safety for all road users. Implementing traffic calming measures can involve physical changes to the street design (e.g. speed bumps) and regulatory changes (e.g. turn restrictions).The goal of traffic calming is to improve safety and neighbourhood livability by mitigating the negative impacts of speeding and shortcutting, while still maintaining reasonable access for residents, public transit, snow clearing, and emergency services.

Every year, the City implements a series of seasonal and permanent traffic calming measures across Whitehorse to reduce vehicle speeds and create safer streets for everyone. While traffic calming is a great tool for reducing motor vehicle speeds and volumes, the City also uses education, enforcement, and other engineering projects to improve road safety. When assessing where traffic calming may be needed, the City will also consider if other solutions may be more appropriate for a particular neighbourhood.

The City has developed a Traffic Calming Framework that outlines a process for residents to request traffic calming. Requests for traffic calming can be made through a new tool and are evaluated on a yearly basis. Requests received by September 30^th of each year will be considered for implementation in the following construction season.

Click here to request traffic calming.

Kid Alert Sign Distribution

The City is distributing Kid Alert signs you can place in your front yard to remind drivers to slow down and drive safely. Click here to request a Kid Alert Sign for free.

Speed Limit Reduction

Speed limits for all streets in the City are shown in the Traffic Bylaw. The City periodically reviews speed limits across the City to improve safety and ensure that speed limits match the surrounding context.

In 2022, the City reduced speed limits on all streets downtown to 40 kilometres per hour. In 2025, the City reduced speed limits to 40 km/h on all streets in residential neighbourhoods throughout Whitehorse where the speed limit was previously 50 km/hr. In addition, the speed limit on Hamilton Boulevard between the roundabout at McIntyre Drive and the south end of Falcon Drive was reduced to 50 km/hr.