Breakin’ the law
By Lethbridge Herald on July 31, 2025.
Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Three vehicles are pictured performing an illegal U-turn in the intersection of Scenic Drive and 5 Avenue South right in front of a recently added sign Wednesday morning.Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge Police Service is reminding motorists to obey the rules of the road and navigate construction zones safely and lawfully.
Sgt. Tony Ramotowski, with the Traffic Response Unit, told reporters Wednesday that members of the TRU and Patrols continue to address speeding violations in construction zones along with other traffic offences, including illegal U-turns due to construction-related road closures, as these actions increase the risk of collisions and potential harm to workers.
“On Monday, patrol officers noted a significant increase in illegal U-turns in the 500 block of Scenic Drive South due to the closure of the off ramp to westbound Whoop-Up Drive from northbound Scenic Drive,” said Ramotowski. “Police stopped 67 drivers for illegal U-turns at the intersection of Scenic Drive and 5 Avenue South and a ‘No U-turn’ sign has now been added.”
He said drivers heading north on Scenic Drive who want to access westbound Whoop-Up Drive during the ramp closure should follow the posted detour signs and added that the fine for an illegal U-turn is $162 and the motorist also receives two demerit points.
“Under Section 30 of the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulations, drivers shall not make U-turns on a roadway between intersections, at an alley intersection,” said Ramotowski. “At an intersection where one or more highways is an access to a public or private facility, at a place where a sign prohibits making a U-turn, or at an intersection controlled by a traffic control signal like traffic lights, unless specifically permitted by a traffic control device like a sign.”
He said last week, during a targeted enforcement initiative, nearly 50 violation tickets were issued within a few hours to motorists caught speeding through the construction zone on Whoop Up Drive while workers were present.
“The majority of the motorists who were stopped were travelling between 20 and 30 km/h over the limit, with one driver clocked at more than 45 km/h over as crews worked just feet away,” said Ramotowski.
Motorists are required to slow down and obey the posted speed limits in all construction zones. And remined residents that in Alberta, speed fines are doubled in construction zones when workers are present.
“These incidents are not isolated to the noted construction zones, and enforcement will continue throughout the city,” said Ramotowski.
Motorists are advised to add extra time to their commute to help reduce frustration due to road closures or delays, take alternate routes during peak traffic hours to avoid congestion, follow all posted signs and traffic controls and slow down, be alert and drive cautiously to ensure everyone’s safety.
“We had a sign placed in the intersection of Scenic Drive and 5 Avenue South, to remind motorist U-turns are not allowed after noticing an increase of illegal U-turns being done in that intersection,” said Ramotowski.
Enforcement will be done in that intersection as well as in Whoop-Up Drive to make sure people do not perform illegal U-turns and speed in those areas.
“With the amount of traffic getting backlogged going down the hill, it is imperative that people do obey our traffic speed zones in that area, while the workers are present,” said Ramotowski. Everybody wants to go home at the end of the day.”
For current information on road work, detours and closures, visit lethbridge.ca.
16-15
I am curious why it took the LPS about 3 weeks to pursue and stop the man riding his bike on Whoop Up everyday for that period of time, which was a significant hazard to many?
It is a reflection of how lawless many drivers have become in all areas! Tailgators when you do the speed limit, people illegally backing out of parking spots downtown going across 3 lanes of traffic so they can go the opposite way or crossing over the solid line illegally crossing 2 lanes to get a parking spot not stopping for that person backing out legally who may not see them coming from the wrong way, blowing stop signs, illegal U turns in middle of block, not yielding for pedestrians, etc. The list goes on and happens every day downtown, but Whoop-up Drive is one of the worst and when these offenders cause accidents, there should be no mercy when writing the ticket. It is like the crime crisis from the gangs/addicts: if there are no deterents, the laws are ignored!
Laws were put in place to protect citizens so people would respect one another, but when there are no deterents, they laws are useless!
It gets frustrating when they have multiple lane closures on Whoop Up drive every summer. At least no zipper merge this time (does not work well merging 3 lanes into 1). Last year (or was it the year before) they repaired the concrete bridge deck. It would have been good to do the expansion joints at the same time. This year they are doing the expansion joints. I see the City crews are also fixing the pot holes on the Westbound lanes. My guess is they will close it next year to replace the Westbound pavement. So close it, fix everything and maybe we can use the road uninterrupted for 10 years. Heck this road doesn’t even see heavy truck traffic.