Alberta's Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen expressed shock after a government survey revealed overwhelming public support for increasing speed limits on the province's divided highways.
Overwhelming Public Support
The survey results showed that 72% of respondents support increasing the speed limit from 110 km/h to 120 km/h on Alberta's rural divided highways. This level of approval far exceeded government expectations, with Minister Dreeshen admitting he anticipated majority support but was surprised by the magnitude.
"It was a shock to me," Dreeshen stated. "I didn't think it was going to be that high." Government officials had previously indicated that approval ratings of 60% are typically the maximum achievable in such surveys.
Truck Lane Restrictions Also Popular
Another proposal requiring trucks to remain in dedicated lanes on roads with three or more lanes traveling in the same direction received even stronger support. An astonishing 96% of survey participants endorsed this measure, demonstrating clear public consensus on highway safety improvements.
Dreeshen noted that the exceptionally high approval numbers provide "a really good direction to government" and indicate these moves are "very popular amongst Alberta."
Common Sense Approach
The transportation minister attributed the strong support to what he called a "common sense" approach. Many of Alberta's rural divided highways were originally designed for vehicles traveling at 120 km/h, and drivers have expressed frustration with the current 110 km/h limit.
Dreeshen also referenced what he termed "the joy of driving," drawing parallels to car commercials that emphasize driving experience rather than technical specifications. "This move goes a long way to having a better driving experience in Alberta," he commented.
Despite the overwhelming support, some critics have raised safety concerns, suggesting that higher speed limits could lead to increased road carnage. The survey results, collected in November 2025, nevertheless indicate strong public appetite for the proposed changes to Alberta's highway regulations.
