A number of volunteers in the northwest communities of Rocky Ridge and Royak Oak have pledged their support for a pilot program designed to ensure speed limits are observed.
Drivers in the Community Pace Car Program agreed to place stickers on the rear windows and bumpers of their personal vehicles in order to spread the message of the importance of travelling at safe speeds.
“The program is very unique because it’s about people taking self-accountability,” said Ward 1 councillor Ward Sutherland. “You sign a pledge form saying that you’re going to follow the speed limit and you’re going to pay attention to pedestrians.”
“If you get enough people with the stickers, it does influence other people.”
Sutherland, a resident of the area, says a similar program has been in place in Vernon, B.C. for the last year and the results have been promising. If Calgary’s pilot project proves successful, it will be expanded to additional communities.
The Ward 1 councillor believes the program adds an element of accountability to the community that traditional traffic enforcement measures lack.
“Pure enforcement doesn’t work. It collects a lot of money but it doesn’t change behaviour,” said Sutherland. “We have to start looking at different options of how can we influence people in a positive way.”
“Speeding is still the number one problem in the communities and the majority of the speeders are the residents.”
Members of the Calgary Police Service traffic unit, which supports the Community Pace Car Program, attended Saturday afternoon’s information session in Rocky Ridge and commended the efforts of the volunteers.
