We’re driving too fast

Re: “Traffic deaths bring new call for vigilance; Police urge motorists to put safety first,” the Journal, May 24. On the May long weekend at least eight people died in fatal collisions in Alberta and more than 5,000 were ticketed for breaking the law. My deepest condolences go to the grieving families.

I keep wondering when drivers will learn from this, but they don’t seem to care. I’ll bet it has a lot to do with the speed limits.

Cities and the Alberta government must be held accountable for some of the actions this past weekend. They are the ones that set speed limits. Are the limits too high?

I think we need to post one speed for all of Edmonton. When I go to Victoria, the city speed limit is 50 km/h and everyone seems to go that speed. We set the speed at 60 and everyone does 70 or 80 or more. Let’s lower our speed limit to 50 km/h. Some people will complain that’s way too slow. It might be slow but it will save lives.

How do we get people to put away cellphones, put on seat belts and quit drinking while driving? Governments have to do studies to figure that out.

I don’t think bigger fines will work. Nor will putting them in jails, which are too full already. We all need to put on our thinking caps and contact politicians about our concerns.

Jim Hawthorne, Edmonton