Police chief supports seizing cars

Calgary’s police chief says he prefers a proposal to seize the vehicles of chronic speeders to seeking a ban on laser jammers and radar detectors as a way of dealing with excessive speeding in the city.

Such devices — which either detect police radar or prevent police laser guns from receiving a speed measurement — remain legal in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

But Rick Hanson said he doesn’t believe they serve much purpose in the first place to require a ban.

“To be honest with you, they frequently don’t work. People invest big money in them and they think it’s going to cause them to avoid getting stopped for speeding,” Hanson said. “It just doesn’t happen. I’m satisfied with the law in regard to that.”

However, he said he does support Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht’s proposal to seize the vehicles of excessive speeders.

Knecht, who is also president of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police, said he’s seeking provincial legislation that would allow officers to temporarily take the vehicles of motorists who far exceed speed limits.

In Edmonton, police often report drivers travelling at 200 km/h, and more than half the crash fatalities in that city are speed-related, Knecht said, adding he plans to bring the proposal to the Alberta police chiefs’ next meeting in November.

“It’s a big issue in Edmon- ton, it’s an issue down here, and I absolutely support Rod in his motion that he’s bringing to Alberta chiefs,” Hanson said.

Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver said the idea “has merit” and is under consideration, but no timeline has been set to make a decision.

In British Columbia, police can seize vehicles going more than 40 km/h above the limit, while in Ontario, officers can do the same for vehicles travelling 50 km/h above the posted speed.

However, the proposal in Alberta is being criticized by the head of a local firm that helps motorists fight traffic tickets, who accuses police of trying to cut out the court process.

“They want to frontload penalties by way of suspensions,” said Charlie Pester of Provincial Offences Information and Traffic Ticket Service or POINTTS.

“If people want to live in a police state, they’re well on their way.”

He said even if speeders win in court, they have already gone through the financial burden and hassle of having their vehicles taken from them, and likely won’t be able to recoup their losses.

“They have already suffered damage before a chance to go to court.”

Pester also took exception with the towing and impounding fees that such motorists must pay, adding it was like “paying a mortgage on your car.”