Speeding past County of Barrhead school nets big fine

BARRHEAD - A man going well over the speed limit received a hefty fine in Barrhead Court of Justice.

Rickey Gerald Lucas pleaded guilty to speeding over 50 km/h over the posted speed limit and received a $2,000 fine.

Justice Jordan Stuffco handed down the sentence as part of a joint Crown-defence plea agreement, giving Lucas until Dec. 18, 2024, to pay. If he doesn't pay the fine by that date, Lucas faces a potential 16-day jail sentence. 

Crown prosecutor Anthony Estephan said on April 9, Lucas was clocked going 105 km/h in a 30 km/h school zone.

"Wow," Stuffco commented.

Estephan added that typically, the Crown would have also asked for a driver's suspension, but because of circumstances, agreed with defence lawyer Dave Hall that the fine was sufficient.

"There is supposed to be a buffer zone when you are going from a 100 km/h highway to a 30 km/h school zone," Estephan said. "In this case, it is not particularly clear."

Stuffco asked if Estephan was referring to the school zone on Highway 33 for Rich Valley School. 

On both sides of Rich Valley School, there is an electronic speed sign ahead of both sides of the school warning that there is a school zone speed change ahead, in this case, a 70 km/h.

Hall replied it was Dunstable School on Highway Highway 651.

"There is a school in the middle of nowhere. Nothing is there but the school, and it drops from 100 km/h from the 30 km/h, which is a head sign to the school zone in approximately 200 metres," he said. "As I told [the Crown during an adjournment], Alberta Transportation has said there should be a transition zone when there is a drastic drop; for instance, when it goes from 100 km/h to 50 km/h, there should be another speed zone drop within 400 metres before dropping to 50 km/h." 

Stuffco suggested the court should inform Alberta Transportation about the issue.

"I can tell you that in the past, from my experience, [Alberta Transportation] does not pay attention to anybody. It states on their website [that the speed transition zone] is something that should be, but it isn't legislated."

Hall was a long-time Crown prosecutor who retired roughly two years ago.

At the May 7 County of Barrhead council meeting, the municipality’s community peace officer Shae Guy, told councillors that he is working with public works staff to improve speed limit signage, especially in and near school zones.

There are three schools in the County of Barrhead, Neerlandia Public Christian School, Covenant Canadian Reformed School, also in Neerlandia, and Dunstable.

He also noted numbered highways are provincial jurisdiction.

Speeding over 40 km/h

Ashley Dawn Hennessey also received a $402 fine after pleading guilty to exceeding the speed limit by over 40 km/h.

Estephan stated Hennessey was speeding 49 kilometres over the posted speed limit while passing a vehicle.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com