Observations from Calgary, Canada, highlight several road safety features that could potentially be adopted in the UK. Canadian roundabouts are noted for their clear signage and the requirement for drivers to commit to a lane before entering, which reportedly leads to a more serene driving experience compared to UK roundabouts with worn paint and blind-spot collision risks.
Another notable feature in Calgary is the implementation of permanent school and playground zones. These areas have reduced speed limits during specific times of the day, with signage that explicitly links the speed limit to the presence of children, aiming to create a moral obligation for drivers. This contrasts with UK practice, where playground signs typically provide information rather than being directly tied to speed limits.
However, the Canadian approach is not without its challenges. The Alberta provincial government removed all speed cameras due to claims they were 'cash cows', allowing local governments to re-add them only in specific danger zones. This decision coincided with 2025 being the worst year for road deaths in Calgary in over a decade.