Lethbridge Police highlight issue of speed for traffic enforcement program

Lethbridge Police hope to bring awareness to the issue of speed as its Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) for April.

It’s easy for drivers to fall into the temptation of speeding to save a few minutes off their drive. However, speeding can be extremely dangerous. Speeding increases the risk of a collision occurring and the greater the speed, the more severe that collision will be.

When weather conditions are unfavorable, it’s even more important that drivers adjust their speed accordingly. Driving at a safe speed, whatever the conditions, will increase the safety of everyone on the road.

Get up to speed about speed:

• In 2018, 22.8 per cent of total fatal collisions in Alberta involved drivers travelling at a speed too great for the given conditions

• In 2020, 25.3 per cent of total fatal collisions in Canada involved speed

• Speed limits do not indicate the maximum speed drivers should travel. They are the maximum speed permitted when conditions are ideal. Any speed that is unsafe for the current conditions is illegal. It a $243 fine to drive at an unreasonable speed for the conditions

Fines for exceeding the maximum speed limit 50 km/h and under range from $81 to $495. Vehicles exceeding the speed limit over 50 km/h will be given a court appearance. The fines double in a posted construction zone

Motorist must reduce their speed to 60 km/h or the posted speed, whichever is lower, when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks that are stopped with their lights flashing. This law applies to the lane(s) immediately next to the stopped vehicles. The fine for speeding in these areas is doubled. Speeding increases the distance needed to safely stop a vehicle. Below is a chart, provided by the Government of Alberta, that illustrates the minimum stopping distance for various speeds on smooth, dry pavement.