Sir, I read with amusement the recent correspondence in respect of the policing of school zones and other speed limits except that this matter is not actually funny.
Anyone who is prepared to take a long observational walk around this city will soon realize that we are in a state of driving anarchy. People are so wrapped up in their important little lives that they feel able to completely disregard the rules and regulations. Speeding is prevalent, especially through school zones and this must be stopped. I see drivers bust red lights on a daily basis, including on pedestrian crossings; I see dangerous manoeuvres; I see texting while driving; I see road rage.
Unfortunately, this pandemic problem is being underpinned by poor punishment policy and a lack of adequate policing of driver behaviour. While it is easy to be cynical over the presence and timing of speed cameras, the fact of life is that they are needed in an effort to try and slow things down. Recent letters to this paper somewhat confirm the cavalier attitudes to speeding and serve to validate a common belief that the ticket penalties are not a sufficient deterrent due to the relatively affluent demographics of the city; people just pay the fines and go do it again!
Drivers will only change their lawless and antisocial behaviour if they are subjected to inconvenience that disrupts their busy schedule. Instead of being allowed to collect ticket after ticket, repeat offenders should have their vehicle impounded or their licences suspended for a meaningful length of time so they have to manage and find alternative means of terrorizing the neighborhood.
Regardless of views on the 'cash cow' status of cameras, the point has been missed that the authorities need to understand the cameras can never be seen as the panacea to the problem. The problem needs visual, proactive policing with tougher inconvenience penalties for those who somehow, seem unable to learn the lesson. If you believe that 'anarchy' is a little melodramatic, just take a walk at different times of the day and see for yourself.
Adrian Atkins, St. Albert
