UPDATE: Pace car program aims to keep roads safe
Posted May 28, 2016 10:49:16 AM.
Last Updated May 28, 2016 05:51:36 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A new initiative hitting the northwest streets of Calgary is looking for drivers who stick to the speed limit.
The Rocky Ridge Royal Oak Community Association launched a community Pace Car program on Saturday, which aims to get motorists to slow down in residential areas, specifically in playground zones or anywhere that sees a high number of pedestrians.
Ward Sutherland, councillor for Ward 1, says the goal is to get people to set examples for others.
“Whether you’re going to the grocery store, the church, whatever, you’re just committing and doing a pledge to do the speed limit,” he said. “Not to drive slow or anything, but to watch for pedestrians, do the right things and be an example. You’re not there to tell other people what to do, and by being an example, hopefully people will follow that.”
He adds, he’s been waiting for this program to get up and running for quite some time.
“I’m really excited, because that was part of the innovation fund, so there was a delay in launching it. This is significant, because it’s about taking self-accountability, rather than enforcement and we’re going to tell you what to do. And, it’s about volunteering to make a difference.”
Drivers sign a pledge, promising to drive cautiously, to keep an eye out for pedestrians, and to go at the posted speed limit. They are also given a special window sticker to inform other drivers that they are part of the program.
The initiative have been successful in other provinces across Canada, including in B.C., and if it proves to be a success as a pilot project, it could expand to all quadrants of Calgary.
“It is the pilot project for all of Calgary,” Sutherland said. “We’ve done speed tests, etcetera before, and we’re going to do afterwards and compare them. Hopefully we’ll have a good outcome. So it’s going to all depend on the outcome whether or not we’re going to release it elsewhere.”