In regards to Gwendolyn LeBlanc’s letter on City buses (Red Deer Express, April 6), you only need to spend a few minutes at the Sorenson Terminal to see much more.

I would say 90% of the buses do a rolling stop when leaving. Also, more than half of the drivers do not wear their seat belts, and often are talking on the two-way radio while driving.

Also, upon entering Red Deer, there are large signs saying the use of engine brakes in the City is illegal.

I suppose that this can be overlooked by the people that hand out tickets, as, living in the northwest I regularly see a City peace officer vehicle parked near four-way stops.

When someone is unfortunate enough to do a rolling stop in the officer’s sight, the officer will do his own rolling stop to follow and ticket the driver!

This is not to mention the other peace officer car that sits just south of the Dawe Centre blocking the sidewalk while watching for speeders.

I should not forget the City’s cool radar truck.

A four-door, 4X4 pickup with a power tailgate, cargo rack, roof lights, and who knows what else that just sits at the side of the road watching for speeders. I wonder what the cost of this fully equipped truck is?

Perhaps around $50,000!

Wouldn’t a small, gas-sipping car do the same? And doesn’t the constant idling contradict the City’s stance on cutting down pollution and financial expenses?

Also, I have been told that jaywalking at the terminal is also a no-no.

I guess this hasn’t been passed on to the drivers, who I also often see jaywalking to Field’s for snacks. Isn’t snacking now while driving also a public no-no?

I suppose I will suffer more civic problems from this rant, but oh well.

Dana Moran

Red Deer