Police asking drivers to celebrate Street Machine Weekend safely

By Lethbridge Herald on July 6, 2022.

Passengers in a convertible roll by in a parade of classic cars, hot rods, trucks, muscle cars and souped-up imports take part in the Friday Night Cruise during a past year’s Street Machine Weekend. While this year features no sanctioned Friday event, police will still be on the lookout for violations anticipating drivers taking part in an unofficial cruise of city streets. Herald file photo by Ian Martens

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge Police Services Traffic Response Unit is preparing for the return of Street Machine Weekend and is encouraging residents to celebrate the festivities safely and responsibly. 

The 44th annual Street Machine weekend runs from today until Sunday and LPS is reminding residents that all of the rules of the road will apply. 

Acting Sergeant of the traffic response unit, Brent Paxman said Street Machine Weekend is definitely one of the busiest when it comes to traffic.   

“Traffic gets quite congested all weekend and we expect that lot of people come from out of town. It’s a big attraction to the city, which is a good thing. We’re just asking that drivers obey the traffic laws, be courteous to each other and the spectators,” said Paxman. 

He said LPS will have extra resources on hand this weekend including the assistance of Alberta Sheriffs. 

“We have a set amount (of officers) that we try and get out for those two nights, get some overtime for some people, but we extended that invite to the sheriffs and they’ve promised a good amount as well, so we’re happy about that. The more help the better,” said Paxman.

He said he is expecting to see an increase in spectators this year as the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. 

“I do expect that Mayor Magrath Drive is going to be lined on both sides with spectators and vehicles. We’ve had bumper to bumper traffic the last couple years regardless; I don’t think we had as many spectators but I do expect that’s going to increase this year for sure,” said Paxman. 

He said this weekend is all about antique vehicles and they are going to be doing their parade on Friday night which is not a sectioned event. 

When it comes to what LPS will be on the look our for this weekend, Paxman said they will be looking for any type of major traffic violation like stunting or racing. 

“That’s not something that we will allow on our streets because they are open to the public, and there’s lots of spectators around it,” said Paxman. 

Other traffic violations they will be looking for are on regards of modifications done to cars like increased exhaust, window tint and lack of mud flaps.

Past years have seen hotspots for stunting and other illegal driving behaviours along Mayor Magrath Drive and 3  Ave. S. and therefore there will be a highly visible police presence in those and other areas of the city this weekend.

The official list of scheduled Street Machine Weekend events includes a Drive-in Movie Thursday night at Exhibition Park, the 100 Foot Dash on Saturday at the Grandstand and the Show & Shine at Galt Gardens on Sunday. 

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