Driver caught going nearly double the speed limit in 24-hour EPS operation

A file photo of an Edmonton Police Service (EPS) vehicle. (Brandon Lynch/CTV News Edmonton)

A driver was caught going 74 km/h over the speed limit by police, one of 668 traffic violations caught over a 24-hour operation.

The violations were recorded on June 18 in a joint operation between Edmonton police and the city and include:

• 263 for non-hazardous Traffic Safety Act infractions;
• 182 for speeding;
• 104 for automated red-light violations;
• 84 for hazardous moving violations; and
• 14 for distracted driving.

Police also laid 10 Criminal Code driving charges and 11 other Criminal Code charges during vehicle stops throughout the day.

At 156 Street and Whitemud Drive, officers recorded a driver going 154 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. The driver was issued a mandatory court summons and a 24-hour licence suspension due to “suspected drug impairment,” according to police.

Of the speeding violations, 21 tickets were to drivers in playground zones where children were present.

“High speeds continue to be an issue across the city,” said Staff Sgt. Mike Wasylyshen in a news release Wednesday.

“Drivers are reminded that although the school year is coming to an end, children will continue to enjoy our parks and playgrounds over the warm summer months. Playground and school zone speed limits are in place for this reason and remain in effect year-round.”

Another driver fled a traffic stop in the early morning hours around 156 Street and 111 Avenue, reaching speeds of up to 140 km/h, according to police.

Officers did not pursue, but found the truck later, arrested the driver and determined the truck had been stolen.

Several hours later, police say a truck was seen being driven “erratically” in the area of 214 Street and 115 Avenue.

When officers performed a traffic stop, the driver was found to have an unsecured shotgun in the vehicle and be under conditions prohibiting the possession of weapons. He was arrested by police.

Data, stories and resources about collisions and traffic fatalities are available online.