A FINE WAY TO POLICE
Calgary traffic police are road testing an experiment aimed at correcting poor driver behaviour, rather than simply punishing motorists with a steep fine. It’s a great idea that acknowledges transgressions on the road shouldn’t just be a cash cow. The purpose of any disciplinary system is to draw attention to and curb wrongdoing in the expectation it won’t happen again. If that can be accomplished with a warning, that’s great.
“The whole idea when we write a ticket or give a warning is to change driver behaviour,” says Insp. Ken Thrower, the city’s top traffic officer. “Sometimes an enforcement ticket is the answer, or maybe it’s a warning, based on the circumstances.”
Police will still pull over motorists and issue tickets, but for the next few weeks at least, they’ll have the option of writing “void” on the form and using the exchange as an opportunity to engage in education.
The program is targeted at minor infractions, such as illegal U-turns, outdated vehicle registrations and darkly tinted windows.
If the experiment is successful, the initiative could be expanded this summer — but instead of voided tickets, offenders would receive a formal warning slip that features tips on improving driving habits and a way for motorists to provide feedback.
“I want this to be an educational piece, but also on the positive side,” Thrower says. Predictably, the test is winning rave reviews. “Initially, my guys were a little hesitant as they weren’t sure how it would be received,” Sgt. David DenTandt says.
“But everyone’s come back saying motorists are definitely pleased. Even if they’re still getting a ticket or two, they’re grateful and always say thank you — and hopefully, learned their lesson.”
Driving infractions generate big money. Last spring, it was reported court fine revenue from photo radar tickets was $21.1 million, $10 million from speed-on-green tickets and $15 million from manned enforcement in Calgary in the prior year. Revenue related to red-light cameras was $3.6 million.
Still, the notion of making driver education a priority, and not simply filling up the coffers, has a warm feeling to it. City traffic police — who ostensibly have always possessed the ability to offer warnings instead of issuing a ticket — should continue to use this kinder, gentler approach when appropriate.
If the warnings result in better driver behaviour, while perhaps strengthening the connection between police and the citizens they serve, the initiative deserves the green light on a moving-forward basis.