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FLIP YOUR METRO TO TRAVEL 20 YEARS IN TIME TO SOLAR CARS, GREEN JOBS, BABY ATHLETES AND MORE
HALIFAX
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 www.metronews.ca News worth sharing.
Drivers caught in the act A minimum of $1.9 million in speeding tickets issued so far in 2011 Figure excludes second or third offences, which double and triple ticket amounts RYAN TAPLIN/METRO
ALY THOMSON
Fine amounts
HALIFAX@METRONEWS.CA
Thousands of speeding tickets have been issued in the HRM this year, the bulk of which come from police hiding in blind spots, over hill crests and around corner bends. But Halifax police aren’t making any apologies. “If they want to take the chance and speed, that’s the choice they made,” said HRM traffic enforcer Const. Tracey MacDonald. Through to the end of August, more than 6,900 HRM speeders have been handed fines in 2011. Most were driving 16-30 km/h over the posted speed limit. According to HRP spokesperson Const. Brian Palmeter, that’s because they think they can get away with it. “I think people have the misinterpretation that they are able to drive at those speeds, like if someone were to drive 115 km/h when the limit is 100 km/h,” said Palmeter. “But the reality is, they can’t, and they will get caught.” Just out of Cathy Poirier’s view on Glendale Drive in Lower Sackville was MacDonald’s police SUV.
0-15 km/h over limit: $222 16-30 km/h over limit: $279.50 31+ km/h over limit: $394
The number of 6,917 speeding tickets issued in HRM this year through Aug. 31. Poirier — driving 23 km/h over the 60 km/h limit — didn’t escape his Lidar, but she didn’t mind. “By all means, it’s their job. You have to keep people from speeding,” she said. “It will definitely prevent me from speeding again.” What she doesn’t agree with are some of the posted speed limits around town, noting the scene of the crime: The portion of Glendale Drive between Highway 102 and Cobequid Road. MacDonald, who’s been with the force for 20 years, has caught more than a few people with a heavy foot since joining the traffic enforcement unit in January. “I hate using that term ‘hiding spots.’ It makes it seem so evil,” he said. “But we need to let people know that we’re out there and aware of the problem.”
Const. Tracey MacDonald watches for speeders along Glendale Drive in Lower Sackville earlier this month. More coverage, page 4.