Calgary firefighters, independent candidates call for harsher speeding penalties

October 14, 2025

Calgary firefighters, independent candidates call for harsher speeding penalties

After back-to-back fatal collisions on Stoney Trail, where speed was considered a factor earlier this summer, the Calgary Firefighters Association is calling on the provincial government to introduce stronger consequences for excessive speeding.

According to the CFA, the union representing local firefighters, Stoney Trail has become a “hotspot for stunt driving” and excessive speeds, resulting in traumatic scenes for first responders.

“These are scenes we don’t want to respond to,” said Calgary Firefighters Association president Jamie Blayney. “They sit with first responders.”

As of September, officers have issued 618 tickets for speeding over 50km/h over the posted speed limit, including five in one night on Stoney Trail last month. Last year, officers issued 704 tickets.

In Alberta, drivers caught going more than 51 km/h over the speed limit receive a mandatory court appearance, but the firefighters’ association noted that those drivers can continue to drive until their court date.

Calgary’s firefighters are now calling on the province to change legislation to allow law enforcement to either immediately impound a vehicle and suspend the licence when a driver is caught speeding excessively, noting that Alberta is the only province without such legislation.

“It’s time to put the tools in place to stop the speeding that’s going on on Stoney Trail,” Blayney said.

To help get their message across, the firefighters’ union brought together four independent candidates running for city council whose wards include Stoney Trail.