Red Deer RCMP ramps up its efforts to curb speeding in the city each spring.
Police “consistently get complaints” about vehicles going over the speed limit, said Sgt. Mike Zufferli, with the Red Deer RCMP traffic unit.
“It’s not specific to a distinct neighbourhood or area of the city, but there is a constant concern for speeding,” Zufferli said Thursday.
“I know two of my officers were working on 19th Street two weeks ago late at night, and they had one individual … travelling more than double the 70 (km/h) zone.
“Just four days ago, one of the bylaw officers here, using radar, was able to determine the speed of a vehicle travelling at 142 km/h in the 70 zone again, south of the Inglewood neighbourhood on 19th Street.”
Zufferli said the number of tickets police hand out depends on the type of enforcement they are focusing on.
“We alter our enforcement based on weather conditions and the type of offences that are occurring,” he said.
“In winter, there may be more of a focus on distracted driving (and) occupant restraints, because we see distinct increases in collisions, especially at intersections, due to road conditions and people not compensating for the weather.
“Around April to September, we really try to ramp up the speed enforcement and do designated projects at different intersection locations around the city with multiple officers.”
In September, officers shift their focus to traffic enforcement in school and playground zones.
RCMP utilize radar and automatic traffic enforcement, such as photo radar and intersection cameras, to monitor speeding.
Photo radar sites are evaluated every 15 days.
Some RCMP detachments have been using cardboard cutouts of officers holding speed radars as a deterrent to speeding.
“We’re always open to new enforcement ideas, but it’s not something we’ve considered at this time,” said Zufferli.
It’s important for drivers to be as safe as possible while on the road, he added.
“It increases the risk to other users of the roadway – it not only puts the driver of the speeding vehicle at risk, but also pedestrians, property and other road users.”
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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