Prince Edward Island speed limits and key traffic laws

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state PEI's basic speed limits for urban, business, unpaved and other roads.
• You can explain when the school zone limit applies.
• You can describe what to do for a school bus with flashing amber or red lights.
• You can apply the slow-down, move-over rule for stopped emergency vehicles and tow trucks.

What you need to know and understand

• Basic limits: 50 km/h in an urban district, 60 km/h in a business district, 80 km/h on unpaved highways.
• Elsewhere the basic limit is 100 km/h in the daytime and 90 km/h at night, unless signs show otherwise.
• Signed school zones: 60 km/h, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, September to June, unless a lower limit is posted.
• Construction zones: 60 km/h, or the limit posted at the zone, even when no one is working.
• Speeding fines in school and construction zones are set at about double the normal rate.
• School bus with flashing red lights: stop at least 6 metres away and wait until the lights stop.
• Stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with lights on: slow to no more than half the posted limit.

PEI's basic limits at a glance

Slow down below the limit for darkness, rain, fog, snow, slippery roads, heavy traffic or pedestrians. Driving so slowly that you block normal traffic is also not allowed; if you must go slowly, move right or pull off to let traffic pass.

• Urban district: 50 km/h.
• Business district: 60 km/h.
• Unpaved highway: 80 km/h.
• Other locations: 100 km/h in daytime, 90 km/h at night.
• Signed school zone during school hours and months: 60 km/h.
• Construction zone: 60 km/h or the posted construction limit.
• Municipalities can set their own maximums, so always read the signs.

School buses

When a school bus shows flashing amber lights, it is preparing to stop: slow down and go with caution. When it shows flashing red lights, every driver meeting or following it must stop not less than 6 metres from the bus and must not pass until the red lights stop. Failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights carries 12 demerit points, the highest level in the schedule.

Emergency vehicles, tow trucks and funerals

When you approach or pass an emergency vehicle or tow truck stopped on the highway with its emergency lights on, you must not go faster than half the posted limit. On a road with two or more lanes in your direction, if you are in its lane or the next lane, you must also move over to another lane when it is safe. You may stop instead if stopping is safe and allowed.

When you approach a funeral procession, reduce your speed to half the posted limit.

Common mistakes

• Assuming the school zone limit applies only when children are visible. It applies during the set hours and months in a signed zone.
• Speeding up in a construction zone when no workers are present. The limit still applies.
• Passing a school bus once children are off the road while the red lights are still flashing.
• Slowing only slightly for a stopped police car or tow truck. The law says half the posted limit.

Test yourself: Prince Edward Island speed limits and key traffic laws

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.