Suzanne Oel – Division 4
Greetings! Sharing my News Update…
Highways 762, 549 & 22 Community Meeting: On July 6, 2023, West Foothills County residents gathered to discuss these highways with policing and government representatives. Our thanks go to the Square Butte community and to all who contributed and attended.
Speeding, racing, noise, multiple-user conflicts and unfortunate accidents continue to plague this popular touring area. No matter what the reasons are for the numerous incidents in this area, whether it is inexperience, driver error, wildlife encounters, poor timing, purposeful annoyance, or some riders/ drivers pushing the limits without calculating the consequences… this affects the Foothills County residents, who live here and want safe community travel and decent quality of life in their home neighbourhoods.
As your local Foothills County Councillors, Barb and I have had ongoing conversations with RCMP and presented issues to Council and Foothills Patrol. Our Council met our new RCMP Staff Sergeant in April, have worked with him since and invited him to our meeting. We have collaborated with our previous MLA and now with our new MLA Sarah Elmeligi, your Provincial representative, who was also in attendance and listened to concerns.
In response to suggestions, I shared at the meeting that I have investigated the SpeedSpy radar unit and learned about the EZ STAT Data logger. I made a request to Alberta Transportation about installing “Fatality” signs, as a pilot project on this highway. The request went through the department and the answer was “No”. A study was provided that showed there was no change in behaviours as a result of posting a fatality sign. In addition, Alberta Transportation coordinated with the County to arrange a Road Tubes project on Highway 762 for the period of a week. These 2022 results showed traffic numbers and measured speeds, with averages of 139.7 km/hr (north end) and 131.4 km/ hr (south end) on the straight stretches of Highway 762.
Guests shared information and engaged in a question-and-answer session with residents about their hot topics. RCMP Staff Sergeant Don Racette, Turner Valley Detachment, reported that they are stepping up their presence in the area. He added a request to keep the incident reports coming in and a promise to meet with residents. Your reports help provide data for RCMP response priorities. RCMP Traffic Services Sergeant Darrin Turnbull took care of business on the way to the meeting. In an unmarked police vehicle, he stopped and ticketed drivers travelling at high speeds, one on Highway 22 and four on Highway 762. He also reported that, on July 1, a speeder was ticketed at 170 km/hr on Highway 549. Something to look into: that legislation be enacted in Alberta to allow impounding of vehicles when drivers exceed a certain high-speed threshold. The desired effect would be to halt the unsafe driving and high speeds taking place. Foothills Patrol & Emergency Manager Clayton Terletski noted that the County has participated in joint forces operations and performs patrols in the area. Alberta Transportation Operations Manager, Fred Lee, shared the history and challenges of Highway 762 and noted that AT may support some form of seasonal electronic speed sign in partnership with the County.
As follow-up, we intend to continue discussions and seek results. I’ll be writing on this topic again and will look into more homework items, such as: SpeedSpy radar, lobbying the Province regarding impounding vehicles, other potential road signage and measuring opportunities, and staying connected with residents and law enforcement. Also, Barb and I will bring forward this most recent discussion to our Council.
Thank you to all emergency responders and residents who have assisted in a time of need for all those involved in accidents along these highways. Just a reminder that residents can report situations to 9-1-1 as they are happening, or afterwards to share concerns through the 24/7 RCMP complaints line: 403.933.4262.
Hawk’s Landing Dog-Walkers Notice:
It has come to my attention that some residents continue to walk their dogs off-leash and some do not pick up after their pets. I am writing here today to ask you to please be considerate. The dog topic creates the highest complaint list within the County, because of the tension which is created among neighbours when some do not recognize the potential for dog attacks and the impact of leaving a mess. Hopefully a reminder will bring about a refreshed approach to adhering to the County’s Dog Bylaw. Please keep your dogs on a leash. Please clean up after your pet and bring the mess home with you to dispose of. Help bring peace to the neighbourhood. This message may also be relevant to other residential streets in the west country, whether it is locals or visitors walking pets on the roads. Please share this reminder.
For Other News & Updates:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CouncillorSuzanneOel/
Email: Suzanne.Oel@FoothillsCountyAB.ca
With Best Regards,
Suzanne
