Latest news with #TrafficSafetyAct
Calgary Herald
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Calgary Herald
Alberta lawyers express concerns with auto insurance overhaul set to come into affect
Article content Alberta's legislation to overhaul the auto insurance system is set to come into affect pending royal assent and lawyers are expressing their disappointment with the bill for limiting litigation. Article content Article content In late March the province introduced legislation which aims to make Alberta the first province in Canada to adopt a privately delivered 'care-first' auto insurance system. Under the new model, Albertans would have limited ability to pursue legal action, except in select cases, which has been a major concern for many lawyers. Article content Article content The Canadian Bar Association (CBA) Alberta branch said in a press release on Wednesday that it is 'disappointed' that the province had passed the bill without considering public opinion or legal input. Article content Article content 'This is a fundamental change to how care and compensation are delivered,' CBA Alberta president Robert Bassett said. Article content 'Albertans told us they value fairness, accountability and the ability to seek justice. These concerns should have been central in shaping this legislation.' Article content In a statement to Postmedia, the office of the minister of finance said at-fault drivers would be penalized with higher premiums and accident victims will have access to the 'best medical benefits of any insurance system in Canada while paying lower premiums when the system is fully implemented in 2027.' Article content Mark McCourt, an auto accident injury lawyer, has been vocal about his concerns about the auto insurance changes, specifically when it comes to the limited litigation. He said he is also disappointed the bill passed without amendments. Article content Article content 'While I recognize that this bill is open for improvement, regulations can be passed to afford some semblance of fairness for injured Albertans. The reality is a government that's willing to pass a bill as unpopular, unfair and unnecessary as this one is highly unlikely,' McCourt said. Article content Article content He said Albertans will see large increases to their premiums over the next two years and will have their rights to bring injury claims against at-fault motorists disappear. Article content Under the bill, in some cases Albertans who were injured in collisions would be able to sue at-fault drivers for pain and suffering damages if the driver was convicted of an offence under the Criminal Code or Traffic Safety Act.
Calgary Herald
14-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
Edmonton police sergeant given reprimand for off-duty impaired driving; fifth such disciplinary case since 2023
An Edmonton Police Service sergeant has been given a reprimand after admitting to drunk driving, with the hearing officer taking note of a 'significant number of similar cases within the service.' Article content Article content Sgt. A.B. — so identified because police do not reveal the names of officers given reprimands — admitted to a single count of discreditable conduct under the Police Act on April 16. Article content Article content According to a disciplinary decision released Wednesday, the 20-year EPS veteran was pulled over by Beaumont RCMP just before midnight July 29, 2023, while off-duty and behind the wheel of his personal vehicle. A.B. had been driving 20 km/h over the speed limit near Range Road 241 and Highway 625 and blew a 'fail' on a breathalyzer. Article content Article content Fred Kamins, the retired RCMP superintendent who heard the case, accepted a joint submission from lawyers for the chief of police and Sgt. A.B. The two sides recommended a formal reprimand, which will stay on A.B.'s file for five years. Article content While he agreed to the proposed punishment, Kamins said it was 'on the lighter side' of penalties he might usually impose, but credited the officer for his 'co-operation, early pleas and acceptance of discipline.' Sgt. A.B.'s case is not the first impaired driving matter to come before Kamins in recent years. Article content Including Sgt. A.B., five officers have been found guilty of unprofessional conduct in the past year-and-a-half for driving under the influence, for incidents that occurred between 2021 and 2023. Three decisions were released in December 2023 — one resulting in an unpaid suspension and two reprimands, including in a case that led to criminal charges — while a fourth officer was handed a reprimand in May 2024. Article content Article content Kamins said the number of recent cases 'suggests the need for general deterrence' of other officers. Article content Article content In a statement, EPS spokesperson Carolin Maran said the service 'takes impaired driving seriously' regardless of whether it involves a member of the public or an employee. Article content 'While even one incident is too many, this is not indicative of an ongoing trend,' she said, noting the time period over which the incidents took place. Article content A.B. was charged under section 88.1 of the Traffic Safety Act and given an immediate 90-day licence suspension, followed by a year-long suspension with the option of participating in the ignition interlock program. He was also ordered to take a 'planning ahead' course and pay a $1,000 fine.
CBC
10-04-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Nova Scotia says long-awaited traffic safety changes to come next year
Long-awaited traffic safety improvements that might allow cameras to catch speeding drivers rather than police could be coming to Nova Scotia next year. Public Works Minister Fred Tilley wrote to municipalities on March 25 asking for their input on road safety issues. Although the Traffic Safety Act was passed in 2018 with the intent to replace the outdated Motor Vehicle Act, government officials have said it's been complicated to actually bring into law. In his letter, Tilley said that implementing the bill as "originally envisioned would take several more years." Given the importance of the issue, he said, they are trying to find ways to bring in "modern traffic safety legislation" sooner rather than later. Tilley's letter does not specify which parts of the bill would come first, or if there would be any new additions. He only wrote that the initiatives would have a "limited impact on drivers but would mean some changes for municipalities and law enforcement." A provincial spokesperson said the revised act and regulations are expected to be ready in 2026. "It's good to hear that there's some movement and seems to be some fresh commitment from the provincial government to finally deliver this really important piece of work," Halifax Coun. Sam Austin, who is also chair of the city's transportation committee, said Wednesday. "It has been quite a while since this was passed, and there's pieces of it that we're really waiting on." The act includes better regulations dealing with distracted driving, and doubles fines for collisions that seriously injure or kill vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians. But Austin is hoping one of the first changes would be to allow municipalities to use photo radar, which Halifax has requested for years. Rather than relying on police to enforce speed limits, the technology detects and captures images of speeding drivers and issues tickets to the registered vehicle owner. "An officer can't be on duty in a spot all the time, whereas the camera [is] always on, always there, always active, always doing its thing to reduce speeding. They're not always necessarily popular, but they work," said Austin. Automating speeding tickets would free up traffic officers to better focus their time and attention on distracted or impaired drivers, Austin said. Tilley's letter said the province is planning "detailed, collaborative and confidential" conversations with municipalities about their needs and concerns on traffic safety. He said that MQO Research will facilitate those discussions and organize engagement sessions over the coming months. Austin said Halifax city staff have told the province they want to take part in these discussions, while Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillors spoke about the issue at a recent committee of the whole meeting. CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke said councillors heard from residents in budget sessions throughout the municipality that road safety issues are a major concern. "We're going to take those priorities of citizens and reflect them in this dialogue with the province," Clarke told reporters on April 1. Clarke said they would also welcome photo radar, but council will have a lengthier discussion about their top priorities at a later date. CBC asked to speak with the president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities on the consultation, but that request was declined. A spokesperson said the federation is "still gathering information" and will have a response after they have more details.
CBC
04-04-2025
- CBC
Family of Stoney Trail hit-and-run victim offers 'heartfelt thanks' to those who tried to save her
Social Sharing The woman who was killed on Stoney Trail as Good Samaritans tried to save her life has been identified as Heather Brent, 57, a registered nurse from Calgary. As online tributes were posted to Brent on Friday, the man accused of fleeing the scene after striking the victim's vehicle made his first court appearance. Gaganpreet Singh's case was briefly in court on Friday as lawyer Joseph Beller appeared on behalf of defence lawyer Ian Savage, putting the matter over to next week as Savage is in discussions with the Crown regarding a release plan. Singh, 25, has been in custody since his arrest on Thursday. In an online obituary, Brent was described as a woman who "poured her heart into the care and happiness of all those around her." Brent was a registered nurse who devoted her career to caring for the elderly, according to the obituary. Family offers 'heartfelt thanks' On Tuesday shortly before midnight, Brent was driving southbound on Stoney Trail N.W. near Nose Hill Drive when her car was struck from behind by what police believed to be a semi-trailer truck. The driver of the semi fled the scene, according to Calgary police. A road maintenance crew came upon the scene and began providing emergency aid to Brent. Moments later, a Dodge truck, driven by a 21-year-old, crashed into a post-and-cable barrier, "ultimately striking the woman and then hitting the rear of the maintenance truck," according to CPS. Brent was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead. Arrest made In the obituary, the family thanked the crew and first responders for their efforts in trying to save Brent's life. "The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Carmacks roadway maintenance workers, Calgary police, Fire and EMS members who rendered aid in Heather's final moments." On Thursday, police announced they had located the truck believed to be involved in the hit-and-run collision in Rocky View County. Singh was arrested and charged with hit and run and hit and run causing death. Police are still looking for any witnesses to the crashes or any drivers who have dash cam footage. Singh does not have a criminal record but court records show he was charged under the Traffic Safety Act with speeding and being the owner of a motor vehicle involved in a collision in February 2024. He was fined $243 in that case.
