Speeding fine hike sought by city council

The City of Calgary has decided to ask the province to increase the fines for speeding in residential areas.

The penalty for speeding on a street is the same as on a highway.

• Pedestrian collisionson the rise in Calgary since 2011
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Mayor Naheed Nenshi says its time to have a broad discussion about the particular problem of speeding in residential zones.

You know, going 15 kilometres over on a highway is way different than going 15 kilometres over the limit in a playground zone in terms of the damage that you can cause, he said.

The mayor will send a letter to Albertas justice minister requesting an amendment to the Traffic Safety Act to addtougher fines against residential speeders.

Coun. Andre Chabotsaidhe is most concerned about speeding in school and playground zones. Consolidating the zones might improve safety, he said.

Michele Kavanagh, who lives in the northwest, says she supports the idea of stiffer fines for residential speeders.

So many accidents, so many speeders people are so, I don't know, they're impatient, she said.