Police begin campaign to crack down on dangerous driving
By Lethbridge Herald on May 8, 2025.
Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald
The Lethbridge Police Service traffic enforcement project is back for its fourth year, to target high-risk driving, vehicle noise and other illegal behaviours.
Sergeant Tony Ramotowski told media Wednesday that the project has already yielded some results and will continue until September.
During the first day of the initiative for 2025, police apprehended one impaired driver, one suspended driver and issued 46 violation tickets.
“Every year we target certain areas in the city that citizens have concerns for in relation to speeding, stunting, excessive exhaust noise, reckless behaviour in driving, etc. ,” said Ramotowski. “We’ll have that ongoing throughout the whole summer, in addition to our normal traffic control and patrols.”
Police will have zero tolerance with vehicles caught speeding, stunting or performing any type of reckless behaviour, including those with previous warnings or tickets.
“Under Traffic Safety Act No.66, we can seize a vehicle if that vehicle has not been repaired from prior tickets, such as loud exhaust, mudflaps and things like that. We can seize a plate and registration of a vehicle that does that,” said Ramotowski.
They may also have their vehicle towed and be required to complete mandatory repairs under Section 66 of the Traffic Safety Act before the vehicle will be permitted back on the road and their license plate and registration returned.
The project was first launched in 2022 and has taken place during the summer months each year since then in an effort to address high-risk and nuisance driving behaviours.
Citizen complaints of excessive vehicle noise, racing and stunting increase when the weather warms up and police are warning drivers there will be zero tolerance.
“We had a lot of citizen concerns lately mostly for Mayor Magrath, Metis Trail, and Scenic Drive, so as our initiative moves forward, we will focus on those areas,” said Ramotowski.
He said that additionally, the traffic unit will have six extra officers during traffic enforcement project nights to help out in those areas.
Targeted enforcement under the Traffic Safety Act and Vehicle Equipment Regulations will result in tickets.
Members of the Traffic Response Unit will provide a highly visible police presence during these targeted projects to deter illegal driving activity and conduct enforcement. This initiative is over and above traffic enforcement that is conducted daily by TRU members and other patrol officers.
The public can help by continuing to report violations and chronic, high-risk driving behaviour whenever and wherever it is observed. Call 403-328-4444. Public complaints and analysis of traffic data, help guide police deployment and enforcement efforts.
16-15
are drivers not required to show that they have rectified whatever illegal modifications they were ticketed or given a formal warning? classic if that is not the case.
i am curious as to how many tickets are given for distracted driving, which is also an aspect of dangerous driving. a short trip along mayor magrath dr is chock full of phone holders and texters, every time.