Quote:
Jun 20 2006
Speeding crackdown nabs hundreds
By ANDREA MILLER Advocate staff
Mounties handed out more than 500 speeding tickets to lead-footed drivers flying down Hwy 2 between Red Deer and Leduc during a 20-hour campaign. Some of the drivers must appear in court because they were cruising at speeds of more than 160 km/h. The court decides on the penalty for exceeding the limit by more than 50 km/h.
Officers spotted a motorcycle shooting past at 210 km/h near Leduc. But they were unable to nab the driver because they were monitoring speeders on the opposite side of the highway, said Sgt. Doug Milne of Wetaskiwin-Camrose traffic services.
“That was in the midst of busy, heavy traffic. A lot of the big speeds occurred in that busy traffic flow,” said Milne.
About 30 officers used laser radar guns to catch speeders on Hwy 2 from 6 a.m. last Tuesday to 2 a.m. on Wednesday.
It was part of the RCMP’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), which aims to increase safety on Alberta roads.
“We know that speed compliance is an issue on Hwy 2. We have a lot of complaints that continually come in from Hwy 2,” said Milne.
Milne said speed is often a factor in serious accidents on Hwy 2. One of the problems is speeders make it more difficult for other drivers to judge whether they have time to change lanes or make turns.
A total of 525 speeding tickets were handed out. Police also laid two charges for drug violations, three for liquor offences, six for failing to wear a seatbelt, two for having no insurance and numerous others.
Officers were also trying to remind drivers to slow to 60 km/h when passing stopped tow trucks or emergency vehicles, such as police, on the same side of the highway with their flashing lights in operation.
On a multi-lane highway, only drivers in the lane immediately beside the stopped emergency vehicle need to slow down.
Milne said other STEP campaigns will be held throughout the province in coming weeks.
so i guess no more 180km/h runs to red deer...
ciao
