Motorists will be able to drive a little faster on the province’s highways if the Conservative Party of Quebec comes to power on October 3.
Conservative leader Éric Duhaime announced at a press briefing Saturday morning in Lévis that a Conservative government would raise the speed limit to 120 km/h on highways where conditions permit.
Mr. Duhaime pointed out that currently, the 100 km/h limit is exceeded by many motorists, and that it is time to let Quebecers decide whether they prefer to drive at 120 km/h rather than 100 km /h.
Even though driving faster increases a vehicle’s gas mileage — and therefore gas costs at the pump — the Conservative leader again said that everyone should be able to choose whether they’re ready to this sacrifice to gain a little time in his travels.
“Time is money too,” he said. I think there are people who will appreciate gaining a little 5-10 minutes, or 20 minutes to go to Montreal, with an extra 10-15 km per hour. »
To support his argument, Mr. Duhaime relied on two studies, carried out in British Columbia and Germany, where increases in speed limits did not lead to an increase in accidents, he argued. .
The Conservative leader also pointed out that automobile technology and safety have evolved a lot in recent years, which means that Quebec is ready, in his opinion, to increase the speed limit on highways.
However, Mr Duhaime clarified that the aim of his measure is to allow people who are already driving faster than 100 km/h on the motorways, due to a police tolerance zone, to do so legally. .
He is not proposing that this same tolerance zone apply to the 120 km/h limit, and that vehicles thus start traveling at 130 or 140 km/h.
“If it’s 120 km/h for everyone, I think it will clear things up for all the citizens of Quebec, and at least we will be able to have a line that will not be left to the discretion of the police officer. “, he mentioned.