First, I have been remiss over the years in not letting our road department know I appreciate all their work and effort.
My thanks go to the councillors who give the okay to the budget, through the ranks to the professionals operating the big equipment.
Throughout all seasons, our roads are looked after in an excellent manner. This takes a lot of work by a lot of people in the department.
Second, I live beside a trail used year round by quads and snowmobiles. I am not one myself – I don’t quad and do not own a snowmobile.
I want to express my appreciation to all those who use the trails for their effort in non-littering.
It has been literally years since I’ve seen any litter – not so much as a candy wrapper. We could all learn a lot about keeping our roads and highways free from litter by following their example.
Third, to my MLA, it is time for speed on our highways to be controlled by radar.
Every time I drive the main highways, I am forced onto the shoulder at least once by a vehicle passing me with oncoming traffic.
Being passed on solid lines, blind curves, hills and intersections is so common, it is almost not noticeable.
Currently, there is absolutely no incentive for habitual speeders to slow down.
When, or if, they are caught, it involves a fine and possibly demerit points. They immediately continue because the chances of being caught a second time is miniscule.
Instead of wasting money on so-called education, I want to see rotating radar set up on all highways and secondary highways every 80 to 100 kms with the speeding tickets being cumulative.
Is it a cash cow? Of course it is, until people are forced to slow down because the habitual speeding is hitting them too hard in the pocketbook.
The benefits of radar include: reduce emergency response; reduce hospital emergency visits; reduce insurance costs; reduce pressure on police forces in setting up check stops; reduce mental health issues for police and emergency response personnel; and, increased revenue for provincial government.
Let’s not forget, these are ordinary people doing an extraordinary job and react to devastation the same as the rest of us.
Speeding on our highways is breaking the law as well as putting other drivers at risk. This is not a “sin tax” like we have for tobacco or alcohol, but a deterrent for those who are breaking the laws in Alberta.
The continued non-response to speeding by the government has made our highway laws a laughing stock.
My perception is there is more concern about votes and staying in power than enforcing the law and protecting drivers on the highway. This is not about government any longer, it is about voters.
Our Premier tells us “everything” is being looked at in the current financial crisis.
Will he take a serious look at this, or are his words just more political rhetoric?
My vote in the next election will be contingent on party response to my protection on the highways and roads using radar.
For those of you who feel the same way, I urge you to contact your MLA. Let’s let our government know we control their destiny, they do not control our lives.
Richard Steppan
Athabasca
