Drivers passing through the Air Ranch community of Okotoks are changing their driving habits after the Town of Okotoks reduced the speed limit on Ranch Road.

The speed limit is now 30 km/h instead of the old 50 km/h limit.

Mayor Bill Robertson says it was only a matter of time before the Town changed the limit.

"Unfortunately under the Highway Traffic Act in municipalities, if a road is not posted with a speed limit it is automatically 50 km/h," he says. "By posting that section of ranch road at 30 km/h it increases the safety, in particular, for pedestrians because there aren't sidewalks there."

Robertson adds that the lower speed limit and some road designs have made Ranch Road even safer than before.

"Not only did we reduced the speed limit, we used what was called 'traffic calming' and had a number of pinch points along there which slows traffic down. We had a raised crosswalk in Woodhaven which was intended to slow the traffic down and increase the safety of residents there."

The stress to slow Ranch Road down was emphasized with a community petition and respective condo boards calling for Council to act on the speed limit change.

Robertson says safety is the number one priority when dealing with town roads no matter how old or new they are.

"So if there people walking along the edge of the roadway, I think it's necessary and we agreed with the representatives from those condo boards."

"It's necessary to reduce the speed for pedestrian safety," he says.

Ranch Road is the main connector road for the Air Ranch community.

 Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com