(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

FIRST UPDATE SINCE 1997

Red Deer updates Traffic Bylaw and General Penalty Bylaw

Jan 27, 2025 | 6:01 PM

The City of Red Deer now has an updated Traffic Bylaw and General Penalty Bylaw for the first time in about 28 years, bringing changes to fine amounts and various rules within the city.

In the regular meeting on Jan. 27, city council unanimously passed second and third reading of an updated General Penalty Bylaw and second reading of the Traffic Bylaw, with third reading passing 7-1, with Coun. Dianne Wyntjes opposed.

Changes made to the documents are primarily related to ticket pre-payment, use of street permits and penalties, and generally updating the bylaws.

While some of the increases made to fines may seem steep, Erin Stuart, Inspections and Licensing Manager, communicated that the changes have been made according to comparable municipality practices and with consideration for public safety when rules are broken.

One notable change in the Traffic Bylaw included a change to school and playground zone enforcement times: effective immediately, the speed limits for these zones will now begin at 7 a.m. instead of 8 a.m.

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Another point of interest was the removal of a provision prohibiting salt to be used on sidewalks.

Red Deer resident D’Wayne Coene expressed concern about the potential environmental impacts of allowing salts, in addition to pavement and infrastructure stability and pet safety.

“There’s also the aspect of people walking their animals: this creates a chloride burn on the animals’ paws, so most people who walk their dogs are actually forced to walk on the street to avoid the ice melt,” he said.

Councillors Kraymer Barnstable and Cindy Jefferies shared similar concerns after experiencing issues with their own pets, however, council moved forward with the repeal as the rule is difficult to enforce, even with significant resources directed to it.

The items initially came to council in the Jan. 13 meeting, where first reading was passed. It’s the first update to the bylaws since 1997.

The documents and their changes are outlined in the city council agenda, available online.

Related: Red Deer city council talks bylaw updates, new zoning, and community service planning