Two teenage drivers were charged after allegedly racing along Parkview Drive NE on Monday night (Photo courtesy of Colton McKee)

By Scott Roblin

Spring Speeders

MHPS cracking down on spring speeding following high-danger incidents

Mar 31, 2020 | 6:07 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – With the calendar now firmly in the spring season, more incidents of high-danger speeding are being reported by Medicine Hat Police.

In just the past week alone, local police have dealt with three separate incidents of drivers speeding over 50 kilometres per hour over the speed limit.

Sgt. Gerald Sadlemyer with the MHPS Traffic Unit said drivers may be feeling anxious to get back on the roads while dealing with the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“With the nice weather everybody is out,” said Sadlemyer. “Everybody is kind of cooped up these days with COVID-19. So, maybe there’s a little extra aggression when it comes to road safety. So, we’re trying to get at them as best we can.”

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The most recent case came on Monday night when officers charged a 16-year-old and 17-year-old after allegedly street racing along Parkview Drive NE reaching speeds of 128 kilometres per hour in the 70 kilometre per hour zone.

Sadlemyer said the age of those charged is especially concerning with the pair only having minimal experience as licensed drivers.

“They don’t understand the dynamics of their vehicle, stopping distance, what could potentially happen as compared to a driver that’s been driving for 30 years and has that experience behind them,” he said.

Over the weekend, a 64-year-old Calgary man was charged after officers recording him travelling at 117 kilometres an hour along Dunmore Road near Ross Glen Drive SE.

That was followed by a driver clocked by photo radar at 127 kilometres per hour on Trans-Canada Way, a whopping 77 kilometres per hour over the speed limit.

Police say just because the snow and ice have melted doesn’t mean there aren’t any dangers on the roads at those speeds.

“In some places the gravel is just like ice,” said Sadlemyer. “It’s slippery, you’re not going to stop in time, and you’re not going to be able to control your vehicle the same way you would on a completely dry roadway.”

Police are reminding the public that speed enforcement remains a priority in the community, even during a global pandemic.

“People are stressed about their jobs, about getting groceries, we’re going back to the necessities of life here,” said Sadlemyer. “Slow down when you’re driving. Make sure you’re doing it appropriately, because there’s extra people out and people are stressed right now.”