Red Deer drivers with a need for speed landed in hot water in April as more than 400 speeding tickets were issued, including one for driver going more than twice the speed limit at 163 km/h in a 70 km/h zone.
Throughout April, Red Deer RCMP and Community Peace Officers issued 406 speeding tickets including eight tickets to drivers going over 100 km/h within the city.
A hot spot in April was along 19th Street near Irwin Avenue, a 70 km/h zone. Two drivers there were clocked at more than 100 km/h, one at 163 km/h and another at 122 km/h.
More speeders driving over 100 km/h were caught along 67th Street. With drivers caught travelling at speeds of 130, 116 and 110 km/h in a 70 km/h zone.
Officers also caught a fourth driver along 67th Street travelling at 115 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.
“There is no justification for driving at twice the posted speed limit — these drivers are putting everyone around them in danger,” said Const. Tyler Hagel, Red Deer RCMP Traffic Unit. “Speeding is a serious safety issue in Red Deer and the number of tickets issued in April as well as the excessive speeds are proof of that.
“That’s why we continue to operate speed campaigns year round in the city.”
Hagel said that though a driver going 163/km in a 70 zone is scary, it wasn’t the first time and it won’t be the last.
“Personally, I have one I saw at 140 and another guy about two years ago hit 170,” said Hagel. “Speeding vehicles, aggressive drivers are a problem. They affect road safety.”
A total of 55 speeding tickets were handed out to drivers speeding through playground and school zones.
According to the Alberta Office of Traffic Safety, the most common injury in speed-related collisions are brain injuries. In 2015, 25.7 per cent of drivers in fatal collisions were reportedly travelling at an unsafe speed.
The initiative was part of a larger provincial traffic focus on speeders in April. For May, police and peace officers will focus on motorcycle safety.
“It is a two-way street,” said Hagel. “As a rider you have to be careful because there are going to be people who don’t see you or miss seeing you.
“At the same time, we have to be aware the motorcycles are out there and they do move fast.”
mcrawford@reddeeradvocate.com
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