Speeding is one of the main factors in collisions on the roads today in Saskatchewan. In 2016, the province saw more than 124,000 speeding tickets written, according to SGI. There are 800,000 licensed drivers in the province, which equals to one speeding ticket for every 6.5 drivers.
According to a report SGI 22 people died in speed-related collisions and another 579 were injured. Lloydminster RCMP Constable Grant Kirzinger says that speeding fines are predetermined.
“The fines are preset based off of what type of zone you’re in, so if that’s a school zone, playground zone, work zone or even just a regular speed zone and based off of that there is a table that will say for every kilometer that you’re over this is how much the dollar fine will be.”
Currently, going over the speed limit by 20 km/h on a highway or regular street will hold a $130 fine. In a school zone, 20 km/h over the speed limit will see a fine of $230. Kirzinger says that following speed limits will make a difference with collisions.
“Those limits are set at specific speeds based off of reaction time, response time, whether that be how soon you can see something to how fast you can move your foot over to the brake.”
Kirzingers adds that fines are there to deter people from speeding, but not punish them for their offense.
The Saskatchewan government will be increasing the base amount of all speeding tickets by $30 and any per kilometer over the speed limit the fine will double, effective May 1.