With schools opening across Alberta next week, local RCMP are asking motorists to exercise caution while driving around school and playground zones.
School and playground zones are rated at 30 km/h, with school zones being in effect from 8 to 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Playground zones are in effect from sun-up to sun-down.
A section of Highway 12 through Stettler is a school zone, adjacent to Christ-King School, with the Stettler Schools complex just down the road. With a playground, track and sporting fields in the area, as well as several pedestrian crossings, all it takes is one speeding, distracted driver to cause tragedy.
Other areas in which drivers should exercise extra caution is the West Stettler Park area, which is home to multiple ball diamonds, an outdoor rink/skatepark, the under-construction skate park, and the Stettler Recreation Centre.
Operation Ten-4 results in tickets
Stettler RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Duncan Babchuk said that after unveiling Operation Ten-4 through the Independent last week, he’s received several complaints through the special email address.
Increased patrols in the first target area resulted in several tickets, he said, and the police intend to step up the action this week as they consider the areas mentioned in the new complaints.
The new traffic enforcement operation is part of a strategy to tackle the on-going problem of impaired, speeding and dangerous drivers in the local community, but according to detachment commander Babchuk, citizen complaints are only useful if police act on them – and that’s the point of Operation Ten-4.
If you have a complaint for Operation Ten-4, email Ten-4@Stettler.net
Babchuk said it’s important to have all the necessary details – including what, where, and when.