EDMONTON — Alberta highway users could be slapped with heftier fines and more demerit points under proposed changes to the province’s Traffic Safety Act.

The government is giving Albertans until June 19 to respond to the proposals outlined in a new discussion paper entitled Fines and Demerit Points.

Over the past few years, Alberta says drivers have become more aggressive, show less courtesy and take actions “dangerous to the safety of others.”

One of the proposed changes would see fines for speeding rise to $50 per kilometre — almost double the current $29. Another fine would jump to $250 for running a red or yellow light or stop sign from the current level of $50.

Transportation Minister Ed Stelmach says the government is also looking at new fines to help curb everything from road rage to talking on hand-held cellular telephones when behind the wheel. The province expects to make a final decision on changing the fines by the end of the year.