Calgary Driver Hit with $428 Fine for Excessive Speeding in Playground Zone
Calgary police have issued a significant penalty to a motorist caught driving at more than double the speed limit in a designated playground area. The driver now faces a $428 fine and four demerit points on their license following the incident in the Oakridge neighbourhood.
Details of the Speeding Incident
The violation occurred on Monday, January 12, when police received a complaint through their traffic service request portal about excessive speeding in the southwest community. According to authorities, the driver was traveling at 79 km/h in a playground zone where the legal limit is strictly 30 km/h.
Playground zones are specifically designed with reduced speed limits to enhance safety for children, providing drivers with increased reaction time to prevent accidents. The Calgary Police Traffic Section officer monitoring the area intercepted the vehicle following the public tip.
Police Response and Legal Considerations
In a Facebook post shared on Friday, police highlighted the seriousness of the offense while choosing not to release specific details about the driver. "We are not releasing information about the driver or their reasons, if shared, for driving over the speed limit as the driver can still plead not guilty and attend court," explained Marie Pollock, communications officer for the Calgary Police Service.
Police could not confirm whether this represented the driver's first speeding infraction. However, they emphasized the potential consequences of accumulating demerit points. Under Alberta's licensing system, drivers with full licenses may receive cautionary notices when accumulating between eight and fourteen demerit points within two years, with automatic suspensions possible for higher totals.
Broader Traffic Safety Context
The enforcement action comes amid ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety in Calgary. Police noted in their social media post that fifteen pedestrians lost their lives on city roads last year, underscoring the importance of reduced speeds in residential areas.
"We are reminding Calgary drivers to slow down, especially in playground zones," the police statement read. "A ticket isn't the worst thing that can happen." The message reinforces that traffic fines represent a minor consequence compared to potential tragedies resulting from excessive speed in areas frequented by children.
This incident demonstrates how public cooperation through official complaint channels can lead to targeted enforcement actions. The traffic service request portal provides residents with a direct mechanism to report dangerous driving behaviors in their communities.
