Editorial: Clear roads for sweepers

Article content

The Calgary Parking Authority occasionally finds itself on the receiving end of criticism for its zealousness in enforcing city regulations. Many residents, for instance, were incensed when several tickets were written to the owners of vehicles parked improperly in cul-de-sacs.

Few people, however, express sympathy for vehicle owners who leave their cars parked on the street when sweepers are dispatched to remove gravel and other debris left on the blacktop at the end of a long winter.

The parking authority says it has issued a combined 5,101 tickets and short-tows for those who did not move their vehicles for street sweepers since the effort began April 3.

The City of Calgary ensures there is signage in communities so residents know when to make sure their vehicles are not in the way of the sweepers. At $120 per ticket, it’s surprising so many cars are left on the street, to say nothing of the garbage and recycling bins that also hamper the spring cleanup.

One Abbeydale resident, who received a ticket in the mail because he failed to move his vehicle, has complained the signage was confusing. The resident insists he didn’t know his street was going to be swept, because there were only six or seven signs on the the community’s main roads.

Said the man: “Lots of us didn’t take notice because when you have a sign only on the main artery, that doesn’t mean you’re going to clean the entire community does it?” 

It’s probably safe to assume the signs do mean the entire community is going to be swept. It’s common sense.

If Calgarians are in doubt, they can go to the city’s website, where they can type in their street address and learn where the sweepers are on duty. They can also check an online map that charts the sweepers’ activities, or sign up for an email alert that will signal when it’s time to take the car off the road for a brief period.

The city has more than 16,000 kilometres of lanes to clear by the end of May. Apart from helping the city look its best, the cleaning prevents gravel and other material from entering our water system and polluting our planet. It also creates a safe environment for people on foot and those enjoying activities such as cycling, skateboarding and inline skating.

When it comes to folks who impede the work of street sweepers, the parking authority should carry a big broom. Clear the cars out of the way.