Hwy 63 Speed enforcement. RCMP Supplied image
Fort McMurray driver clocked at more than double the speed limit faces charges, court date
Fort McMurray, AB. — A 41-year-old Fort McMurray man is facing several charges and a mandatory court appearance after RCMP clocked his grey Audi S8 travelling more than twice the posted speed limit Monday morning.
Around 9:30 a.m. on June 23, officers with Wood Buffalo RCMP’s Municipal Traffic Services observed the Audi heading north on Highway 63 near Mackenzie Boulevard. Radar confirmed the vehicle was moving at 146 kilometres an hour in a 70 zone.
The driver was pulled over and issued multiple Provincial Violation Notices, including tickets for excessive speeding, operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s licence, and driving an unregistered vehicle. The Audi was impounded on the spot. The man is scheduled to appear before the Alberta Court of Justice in Fort McMurray on August 22.
RCMP say the case is a serious reminder of how dangerous excessive speeding can be. Any driver caught exceeding the posted limit by more than 50 kilometres an hour must appear in court and may face significant fines. According to Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act, fines and demerits increase with speed.
Drivers going up to 15 kilometres an hour over the limit can face a fine of up to $126 and 2 demerits. Speeds between 16 and 30 over come with a fine of up to $249 and 3 demerits, while speeds between 31 and 50 over carry a fine of up to $495 and 4 demerits. Exceeding the limit by more than 50 kilometres an hour leads to mandatory court, and fines can escalate further if the offence occurs in a construction or emergency zone, with penalties doubling to as much as $991.
Sgt. Jan Indenbosch, who leads the Wood Buffalo RCMP Municipal Traffic Services unit, urged drivers to slow down and drive responsibly. “Aggressive driving behaviour significantly increases the risk to all road users and is not tolerated. Please slow down and drive safely so that everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer,” he said.
RCMP also reminded the public that posted speed limits are in place for a reason and that excessive speed reduces reaction time while increasing the severity of crashes. Officers recommend allowing extra travel time, limiting distractions, and staying alert to signage, particularly in playground and construction zones.
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