A Calgary motorcycle driver is facing a mandatory court appearance after allegedly being nabbed travelling more than twice the speed limit.
According to a press release from Turner Valley RCMP, the Mountie’s radar clocked a top speed of 224 km/h as the motorcycle sped through a 90 km/h zone on Highway 762.
A 26-year-old woman was issued a mandatory court summons to appear in Turner Valley Provincial Court next month.
“The penalty will be up to the judge,” said Turner Valley RCMP Cpl. Tiffany McGregor. “Usually anything 50 over the speed limit goes straight into court. Not only are you putting yourself in danger, you’re putting everyone else on the road in danger(...) doing those kinds of speeds.”
Seven more motorcyclists were ticketed by Turner Valley officers last weekend. Among them were five from the same group exceeding the speed limit by 30km/h, said McGregor. She said they could face fines of $200 to $300 each.
“The five that were ticketed and stand charged were also out of Calgary,” she said. “It’s people spending the weekend touring our beautiful areas. The problem is they’re putting their lives and anyone else’s on the highway in harm’s way.”
It’s not just motorcyclists, said McGregor. Tickets were also issued to other motorists last weekend.
“We’re just southwest of Calgary, so people who want to escape the city and do a tour, come out for a meal, whatever it is,” she said. “When the weather is nice and there is a weekend you tend to see people wanting to get out of the city.”
Motorcyclists are at higher risk, particularly with wildlife out and about.
“We have collisions daily with animals stepping out on the road,” she said. “With vehicles you’re lucky to only have your vehicle damaged, but if you hit any of those animals on a motorcycle, even if you hit a small animal like a fox or a dog, you’re not going to stay on that bike.”
Although the Turner Valley detachment increases patrols on busy roads, McGregor encourages the public to assist as well.
“We’re always encouraging people to phone in whether it’s a speeding vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, passing lines of traffic on double solids, please let us know,” she said. “If you can get a licence plate and description of the vehicle that certainly helps.”
With files from Brent Calver