Should you get a speeding ticket for going 10 km/h over the speed limit?

[Dion]

Edmonton moves toward zero tolerance for speeders

I’ve been digging into this question since I got an unwelcome letter in the mail this week. The Government of Alberta had sent me a $78 photo radar ticket for travelling 60 km/h in a 50-km/h zone on Feb. 15. I was driving my son to a weekend minor hockey game in St. Albert, travelling up Groat Road toward 107th Ave. It’s a major, two-lane, northbound artery.

The ticket surprised me. My own understanding — based on years of driving and on something that an Edmonton city police officer once told me in an official capacity — was that the authorities would not give out a speeding ticket unless you were going more than 15 km/h over the speed limit.

Then came this new ticket. The rules have changed, it would seem, and this follows the city taking over photo radar duties in 2012.

When I asked Gerry Shimko, the city’s executive director of traffic safety, if there was now any tolerance for speeding, he said even one km over can get you a $57 ticket. “The answer to me is we should have zero speed tolerance,” he said: “The law is the law.”

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ed...786/story.html

[polak]

Pansy law.

[btimbit]

This is good news, this must mean they've solved all other crime and can focus more on minor traffic offences.

Good job Edmonton!

[Peanut]

I thought the margin of error on the radar equipment was about 10%. So I would say if you're doing 10km/h over in a 50 zone, yeah, fair game. But 120km/h on a 110km/h highway, you would not be likely to get a ticket.

Maybe the equipment is getting better but I highly doubt it's good enough to give out tickets for doing 1km/h over the limit (as stated in that quoted text from the article).

[Stanathan]

In my experience putting on at least a half million KMs on Alberta roads in the last 18 years, I am never surprised when a driver gets a ticket for doing 10km over in a 50km zone. I have had 2 tickets for doing 10km over in 100km zones and 1 for 11km over in a 110km zone. If you want to argue the principle, try your luck and skill and attend the court at the prescribed time and speak with the crown prosecutor.

[DOOM]

I always thought it was something like "9 you're fine, 10 you're mine"


Edit - your to you're lol

[Hemi-Cuda]

On highways (100 km/h or higher) I've always set my cruise control for just a bit under 20 km/h over the limit, so if I do get pulled over it's a regular fine and not excessive speed. But in over 10 years of doing this I've never been stopped, and have been passed many times by cops

[JonDuke]

I usually follow the 10% rule.
10 over in a 100 is ok, but 60 in a 50 deserves a fine, imo.

[stampsx2]

They should just raise the speed limits everywhere. Problem solved.

[Dion]

I thought all the potholes Edmonton has prevented people from speeding.

[dammage79]

Should totally follow Europes standards. I always find it amusing when Top Gear does america. They hate the speed limits in NA.

[topfiverecords]

They're just trying to slow down people's exit from the city.

Drive like Hall backchecks and you'll never get any tickets.

[#-3]

I have no problem with them enforcing speed limits, but I also feel the vast majority of speed limits should be about 10KPh higher. That's what they do in Utah. most highways are 80 mph +/- 5 and they have zero tolerance. It seems more honest.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Dion

I thought all the potholes Edmonton has prevented people from speeding.

Despite the hundreds more spent in gas, when I go to Edmonton I bring the truck. Not worth busting something driving on their roads in a lowered car

[Nage Waza]

I think the 'rule' is not 10 km/h but as others have said, about 10%. There is a margin of error that the devices measure within and I think they have a harder time enforcing 10% or less.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by btimbit

This is good news, this must mean they've solved all other crime and can focus more on minor traffic offences.

Good job Edmonton!

I like how you can only focus on small crimes once all large crimes are solved. In no way should you pay any attention to any crime unless it is of the major variety.

[SebC]

Nah, you should only get a speeding ticket if you're driving at an unsafe speed.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

I think the 'rule' is not 10 km/h but as others have said, about 10%.

Everywhere else in Canada, but do you really expect Edmontonians to be able to do percentages while driving? That's a recipe for disaster.

[smoothpops]

how were road conditions in edmonton on feb 15th? (im a little surprised no one asked that).

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by fotze

What they have to do is completely separate police budgets from ticket revenue. Put it into the general pot.

It's not? That opens a huge conflict of interest I wasn't aware of