Increase Traffic Speed Violation Fees
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Government of Alberta to increase speeding violation fines within school zones and playground areas in Alberta.
WHEREAS the traffic rules in Alberta are set by the Traffic Safety Act and regulations;
WHEREAS fines for all provincial legislation are set according to the Provincial Offences Procedures Act and regulations, which clearly set out the specified penalty fines for traffic offences;
WHEREAS the Province has changed the regulations to increase speed fines (double) for motorist speeding past construction zones and stopped emergency vehicles;
WHEREAS school zones and playground areas represent a high hazard environment for young pedestrians; and
WHEREAS speed fines established by bylaw would not have demerit points associated nor appear on a driver’s abstract, thus reducing their effectiveness as a deterrent to speeding motorist.
Mar 12/12 - Alberta Transportation
The Traffic Safety Act requires that all drivers must comply with the 30 kilometre per hour speed limit when driving through a school or playground zone that is in effect. Alberta Transportation is not pursuing fine increase amendments at this time, as the current fine structure is already improving traffic safety. With the ongoing help and support of our traffic safety partners, Alberta Transportation will continue to implement the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan and remind Albertans to drive safely.
The government recommends that municipalities encourage peace officers to charge speed violators with offences under the Traffic Safety Act in order to achieve the maximum deterrent effect, which includes fines and demerit points.
AUMA Considers this response.