Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Driving on narrow streets
Residential streets present unique driving challenges, especially when parked cars or high snowbanks make roads narrower.
Watch your speed
The speed limit on most residential streets is 50 km/h, but it’s often wise to drive more slowly, depending on road and weather conditions. You’re probably only driving a short distance on a residential street – so slowing down will only cost you a couple of seconds.
Share a narrow roadway
When two vehicles are driving toward each other on a residential street, should one driver pull over? It depends on how much space is available. In some cases, drivers coming from opposite directions can share the roadway. The driver on the side without the parked cars should move far enough to the side to allow the other vehicle to pass safely.
When there's no room, wait
Sometimes, parked cars reduce the width of the roadway so much that two approaching vehicles can’t pass safely. If so, the driver on the side with the parked cars should pull over and wait for the oncoming vehicles to pass before proceeding.
Patience, please
Remember that both drivers are responsible for sharing roadways safely. If the other driver doesn’t pull over, you may have wait until the other vehicle has passed.
Watch for pedestrians
Many residential areas have no sidewalks. Be aware that pedestrians, especially schoolchildren, may be walking on the road. Be extremely careful just before and after school.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV and check out the following section on our website:
- Residential Streets in Driving Tips
- Pedestrian safety in Vulnerable Road Users
- You can access the 60-Second Driver video on Parallel Parking directly
