Alberta Integrated Traffic Services Announce 2013 Aircraft Traffic Enforcement Program

Alberta’s RCMP and Sheriff Integrated Traffic Services announce the resumption of its Aircraft Traffic Enforcement Program. The program is one of many strategies and initiatives designed to increase public safety on identified high risk highways.

Aircraft Traffic Enforcement: Quick Facts:

Background

• Originated in Alberta in 1968 using RCMP aircraft
• Suspended due to the lack of availability of RCMP aircraft in early 1980s
• Re-introduced late 1980s using private aircraft but escalating costs cut program 
• 2009 Aircraft traffic enforcement was re-examined as a viable option using RCMP aircraft and was reintroduced on the Trans-Canada Highway between Calgary and the British Columbia border in 2009. 
• 2012 Mike Allen, MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo produces Towards a Safer 63: The Report of the Special Advisor on Highway 63. “Recommendation #12: Establish a dedicated RCMP/Sheriff and aerial enforcement presence for Highways 63 and 881 to deter dangerous driving behavior. Aerial enforcement effectively targets excessive speeding by giving law enforcement the ability to have a bird’s eye view of vehicles travelling at excessively high speeds. Aerial patrols communicate with officers on the ground to ensure that excessive speeders are caught and penalized. The visual combination of aircraft, posted signs and ground enforcement units have proven effective in changing driver behavior, causing motorists to slow down and drive safely.” 

2013 Aircraft Traffic Enforcement Program

• 2013 Alberta Transportation re-painted and expanded aircraft patrol locations from 41 to 50 locations and posted signs indicating roadway is patrolled by aircraft. 
• 2013 RCMP conducts training with RCMP and Sheriffs. Currently there are 25 trained aircraft observers in the Province of Alberta, consisting of RCMP and Sheriffs.
• In 2013 Aircraft traffic enforcement will be strategically deployed over the summer to identified locations as one of many tools used by enforcement to address driving behaviours that contribute to fatal and serious injury collisions. 
• Differs from typical speed enforcement as it can detect violators over a longer distance, allowing officers to observe multiple violators and multiple offences. 
• Speeding is the most common offence, however, other unsafe driving practices such as following too close, unsafe passing and impaired drivers can be spotted from the air. 
• The only technology that is actually used in aircraft traffic enforcement is a stop watch. It is a simple time over distance speed calculation. Vehicles are timed by the officer as they travel though surveyed and certified 500 metre distances. The less time it takes a vehicle to travel through the 500 metre distance, the faster the vehicle is going. 
• Photo radar is not used by RCMP and Sheriffs. As such, the aerial enforcement program does not use any photo radar equipment. 
• Primary aircraft that will be utilized will be the RCMP "K" Division Helicopter, a 2007 Eurocopter AS350 - A-Star. 

Integrated Traffic Units consist of RCMP Traffic Services members and Sheriff Highway Patrol officers working together in a collaborative effort to deliver effective and efficient traffic safety services to Albertans, with a focus on identified enforcement priorities.