LAC LA BICHE - A recent traffic ticket issued by Lac La Biche municipal peace officers has the local manager of Enforcement Services urging motorists to slow down.
Speeding can bring with it fines, demerit points, and even higher insurance costs, says Ryan Deschamps, the manager of Enforcement Services for Lac La Biche County.
Recently, community peace officers (CPOs) conducting proactive patrols on a rural municipal road made a traffic stop on a pickup truck that was travelling 153 kph in a marked 60 speed zone.
According to Deschamps,a ticket issued for such a traffic offence brings a mandatory court appearance. He explained that when the driver attends court, the judge will set the fine with associated demerit points imposed. Past offenses as well as other circumstances are also taken into consideration.
“This outcome could also have implications for a vehicle owner trying to renew or obtain insurance as the driving history may also increase the insurance cost for that individual,” Deschamps told Lakeland This Week. “This particular speed offence could have had a much more serious outcome not only for the driver, but also for other users of the road.”
Ultimately, after the first appearance, Deschamps says, the ticket would be then treated similarly to other traffic offences and has the ability to be contested, entering into a trial. Likewise, the ticket may be paid to the established fine amount and demerit points imposed.
Education and enforcement
While a driver going almost three-times the posted limit isn't going to get let off with a warning, Deschamps says his officers enforcing speed limits do have a balance of warnings and tickets. He said patrols are often strategic in nature because they are focused on protecting the public against exposure to dangerous situations, including excessive speeding.
He said throughout their shifts, community peace officers prioritize workload by managing calls and additionally patrolling proactively within the community.
“Areas that have historically been affected by illegal activity are monitored by officers with traffic enforcement carried out during their travels,” he said, adding that officers are trained in speed measuring devices such as RADAR and LIDAR. “Our team of dedicated officers works hard to ensure public safety through positive interactions, but at times enforcement is needed.”
The court date for the motorist with the excessive speed was not given.
