Traffic safety the goal of Calgary’s new enforcement team

Calgary’s new traffic safety team will target hotspot residential areas where speeding is prevalent in school and playground zones.

The City of Calgary has launched a new enforcement unit dedicated to maintaining traffic safety on city roads.

The Traffic Safety Team (TST), made up of eight peace officers and two sergeants, will focus on enforcing speed limits in playground zones, improving traffic safety education and addressing noisy vehicle complaints.

Officials say the TST was approved by council in November 2023 as a way to underscore the city’s commitment to traffic safety.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

“Our priority is to protect Calgarians, especially in high-risk areas like playground zones,” said community safety inspector Brad Johnson, spokesperson for the Traffic Safety Team, in a news release.

“The Traffic Safety Act provides us with the framework to take meaningful action against traffic violations that put lives at risk.”

Member of the TST will be equipped with body-worn cameras and monitoring tools and the data it collects will be used to identify high-risk areas to make sure enforcement is sent where it’s needed most.

At launch, Calgarians should expect to see an increased presence in “high-complaint areas,” with those enforcement efforts expected to expand throughout the rest of the year.

TST will also be spearheading public awareness campaigns ahead of further bylaw enforcement initiatives to make sure the public and businesses understand the changes.

“We want to give residents confidence that their concerns about traffic safety are being addressed,” Johnson said.

Further information about the TST can be found online.