Behind the Bison – Traffic Tips

RCMP Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbrown brings you behind the scenes with a serious of columns taking you behind police work and how it’s done in our community. If you have a question you think needs to be answered in Behind the Bison, send it to admin@borderpulse.ca and we will be sure to share it with him.

On March 13 the Government of Alberta raised fine amounts on a number of traffic violations so I
thought this was a good time for some advice. The ever-popular glazing/tint ticket increased to $105
and careless driving increased to $852. All the speeding fines increased as well as using your cell phone
while driving and all seatbelt offenses also went up. Although these are Alberta specific amounts, the
information below will apply to all provinces.

Drivers should be aware that they can receive violation notices, also known as traffic tickets, in the mail
as they don’t have to be served at the time of the violation. I am presenting this information as just that,
information, because it seems that fines and demerits aren’t a deterrent for some drivers.

So, where are the tips? Well, the first tip is the most obvious, obey the rules of the road and you won’t
have to shell out money to the government. Make sure your vehicle is in proper condition for driving
and pay attention to road conditions. Often weather can be a factor, but it is still the driver’s
responsibility to adjust their driving to the weather. The driver is also fully responsible for the condition
of any vehicle they drive.

If you do get a ticket, I have some advice for that. Deal with it. What I mean here is do not let it sit and
do nothing as no good comes from that. If you are going to pay it, then do so and if you are going to
fight it, then do that.

If you do decide to fight a ticket, have a reason for it. The judge will ask what are you presenting as your
defense and you must have a good reason as many judges will increase the fine amount if they find a
driver guilty. Once you go to trial, the fine amount can be increased, and this is not uncommon.
Obtain disclosure well ahead of time. You have a right to see what evidence is going to be presented in
court by the officer. Make sure you go through the respective province’s process to obtain disclosure.

This can include recorded video from the officer’s vehicle camera and/or their body camera.
Demerits are government controlled and judges cannot reduce or cancel demerits attached to
convictions, so it isn’t advisable to fight a ticket with the sole reason that you are going to ask for a
demerit reduction.

Here is the best news, you as a driver are in total control of whether or not you put yourself in a
situation where you may get issued a ticket. If you do put yourself in a situation where a ticket is issued,
please be respectful to the officer. Some of the worst treatment I have ever received is from drivers that
have committed driving offenses. Most officers wear body cameras and if you fight the ticket and go to
trial, it’s not helpful to your argument when your behaviour is less than respectful.

Read more: Behind the Bison – Officer safety and risks