Increased speed limits on the Coquihalla Highway, which began in November 2014, will continue as this year, announced Transportation Minister Todd Stone Tuesday (June 28).

The route recorded its lowest crash rate in the past ten years, after the speed limit was increased from 110 km/h to 120 between Hope and Kamloops.

However, results are mixed from other routes the B.C. government raised speed limits on, which included 33 sections of rural highway, with average traffic speed and serious collisions up in seven sections.

The Okanagan Connector, from Merritt to Peachland, saw an increase in the serious collision rate after the speed limit was increased, while the average speed of drivers on the highway remained relatively stable.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone released traffic and accident analysis of the first year of operation on June 28, saying more data is needed to understand the changes in traffic behaviour and accidents. Increased speed limits will continue in most areas, including on the Coquihalla, Okanagan Connector and between Parksville and Campbell River where B.C.’s first 120 km/h speed limits are in place.

Speed limits are being lowered on two sections of highway, where engineers have determined other safety measures such as passing lanes or rumble strips aren’t likely to be successful. Those are Highway 1 from Hope to Boston Bar, rolled back from 100 to 90 km/h, and Highway 5A from Aspen Grove to Princeton, being lowered from 90 to 80 km/h.

Increased speed limits remain in place on the Sea to Sky Highway from Horseshoe Bay to Squamish (80 to 90 km/h), and Revelstoke to Golden (90 to 100 km/h).

Raw data from the ministry show spikes in accidents on certain days, such as when there is heavy snow on the Coquihalla or the Fraser Canyon. In some places, like Highway 99 north of Whistler, average traffic speed actually fell after the posted speed limit was increased.

Ministry data show a long-term decline in serious crashes across provincial highways over the past decade, but a nine per cent increase in the 2014-15 year that was studied. That increase shows up whether speed limits were changed or not, and has also been reflected in increasing ICBC rates.

-With files from the Merritt Herald