BARRHEAD - County of Barrhead reeve Doug Drozd was disappointed when the province decided to put the brakes on a plan to change the way people contest traffic tickets.
As part of the government's Safe Road's initiative under Bill 21, the change was slated to take effect starting on Feb. 1, moving into Phase 2 of the Provincial Administrative Penalties Act and Justice Transformation Initiative and eliminating the need for traffic court.
The most notable change is that the province would be eliminating the court process for people contesting traffic tickets to an all-or-nothing arbitration model.
In late January, interim Minister of Justice Sonya Savage announced the plan was being put on hold for up to four months, in large part due to public uproar that would see the elimination of due process when it comes to traffic violations. The extra time will allow them to consult with Albertans to inform them of the benefit of the change.
Drozd told his fellow councillors during their Feb. 1 meeting that he felt the changes have some merit.
Phase 1 of the plan saw the province create an adjudication branch tasked with resolving impaired driving-related offences under the Traffic Safety Act to bring in stiffer administrative penalties for impaired driving.
"Every year, two million traffic tickets are issued in Alberta. Of those tickets, 400,000 will be challenged, and 60,000 will require court dates," Drozd said. "Ten courts to handle the slog of tickets. It seems to me it would help the county because our (peace and police officers) could spend more time in the field and less time in court."
He added the change would also give the county a steady stream of ticket revenue, as it would not be impeded through the lengthy court process.
As part of the change, people wishing to challenge their tickets would have seven days to initiate the process. They would also have to pay a $50 to $150 non-refundable fee, depending on the amount of the fine.
The reeve then asked Barrhead RCMP Sgt. Bob Dodds for his thoughts on the proposed changes.
Dodds, who was at council to update councillors on the latest crime statistics, said he had mixed feelings.
"Every traffic stop, regardless of whether a ticket is written, gives members a chance to observe," he said. "And with sharp eyes, an officer can pick up a lot of things."
Dodds said it also gives less experienced officers a chance to gain experience testifying.
"(If this goes forward) we are not going to get this anymore. It is a crucial part of our job," he said.
On the negative side, Dodds said traffic tickets bog down the court system and tie up police resources, noting a simple traffic ticket could mean the loss of a member for the entire day.
If the province moves forward with the proposal, Dodds added officers will have to take "meticulous notes".
"However, if they do, it should lead to a conviction," he said.
Drozd said that as it stands, too many people are using the system to fight traffic tickets.
He added that on Jan. 18, Lac Ste. Anne County enforcement supervisor and CPO Dallas Choma told them how people would knowingly use the court system, hoping to timeout the process.
"They will get a court date, make an excuse why they can't attend, hoping to have it pushed back even further. In the meantime, there is no fine, no demerits or restrictions on their licence," Drozd said. "At their next court appearance, they can't appear for whatever reason, with no consequences. At some point, the justice system will say, 'You poor soul, you've been at this long enough' and throws it out of court."
Dodds said the issue was beyond police jurisdiction, adding he understood Drozd's frustration.
"I still have a civil trial pending from when I was in B.C.," he said. "I left in 2007. That is how square the wheels of justice can be."
