Latest news with #KerryBates
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Edmonton police warn drivers against street racing, stunting, other dangerous driving
Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is urging city drivers to stick to the rules of the road and not engage in any stunting, racing, or other dangerous driving. City police have handed out 202 tickets for excessive speeding, 76 tickets for stunting, and 133 tickets for dangerous driving to date in 2025, EPS said in a Friday news release. They also reported 15 fatal collisions so far in 2025, compared to 26 total fatal collisions in 2024. EPS said they've received 583 street racing complaints in 2025 compared to 1,251 complaints in 2024. 'With our 2025 fatal collisions already sitting at an unacceptable high of 15 in only the first half of the year, we are reminding Edmonton drivers that police are out enforcing traffic laws and charging those who choose to put everyone's safety at risk,' said Sgt. Kerry Bates with the EPS traffic safety unit in the release. Police cited several incidents of street racing, dangerous driving and excessive speed that took place just in the last three months, including a May 19 traffic stop of a Ford Fusion driving 162 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, as well as a three-car collision on April 26 that police believe was the result of street racing. They also cited a May 2 collision between a Yamaha sports motorcycle and a 1989 Ford Bronco that sent a 25-year-old man to hospital with serious injuries. 'These are just a few examples of the extreme speeding, street racing and general dangerous driving we are seeing on our streets,' said Bates. He warned drivers that 'fines for Traffic Safety Act violations, such as stunting, start at $567,' and may result in a suspended driver's licence. In 2024, EPS handed out 121 tickets for stunting, 310 tickets for dangerous driving, and 444 tickets for excessive speeding of more than 50 km/h over the speed limit. There were 26 fatal collisions in 2024. This past May, EPS conducted an 'Operation 24 Hours' traffic campaign that issued 695 traffic tickets, including 195 tickets for speeding violations. The campaign had fewer violations than the previous Operation 24 Hours on Sept. 12, 2024, which resulted in 733 speeding tickets issued out of 900 total violations. At the time, Bates attributed a portion of the decline to the province's decision to reduce photo radar sites by 70 per cent, citing a need to shift the focus from gaining revenue to traffic safety. That change drew concern from Edmonton's director of traffic safety at the time, who called photo radar a 'critical' safety tool. Operation 24 Hours campaign hits Edmonton motorists with 695 traffic tickets and 195 speeding tickets 'Absolutely concerned': Edmonton mayor, councillors react to Alberta photo radar plan
Global News
13-06-2025
- Global News
Edmonton police release video of motorcycle crash to warn about dangers of street racing
With summer fast approaching, the Edmonton Police Service issued a warning about the risks of of dangerous driving on Friday as they say illegal street racing sees an uptick in the season. 'With our 2025 fatal collisions already sitting at an unacceptable high of 15 in only the first half of the year, we are reminding Edmonton drivers that police are out enforcing traffic laws and charging those who choose to put everyone's safety at risk,' Sgt. Kerry Bates with the EPS' traffic safety unit, said in a news release. 'Fines for Traffic Safety Act violations such as stunting start at $567, not to mention a possible driver's licence suspension and, in the case of a Criminal Code violation like a dangerous driving charge, a criminal record.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy To illustrate how dangerous stunting and street racing can be, police released a video on Friday of an incident that occurred last month in which a man in his 20s was seriously injured while riding a motorcycle. Story continues below advertisement The video shows an SUV appearing to try to do doughnuts on Roper Road near 42 Street when a sports motorcycle, that police allege was travelling at 'a very high rate of speed,' slams into the SUV. The motorcycle rider was thrown from the bike. Police said they expect to lay charges in the case. According to the EPS, between 2020 and 2024, police have laid anywhere between 276 and 397 dangerous operation of a motor vehicle charges each year, and issued anywhere between 91 and 130 stunt tickets per year during the same time frame.
Edmonton Journal
13-06-2025
- Edmonton Journal
Edmonton police warn drivers against street racing, stunting, other dangerous driving
City police have handed out 202 tickets for excessive speeding, 76 tickets for stunting, and 133 tickets for dangerous driving to date in 2025, EPS said in a Friday news release. They also reported 15 fatal collisions so far in 2025, compared to 26 total fatal collisions in 2024. EPS said they've received 583 street racing complaints in 2025 compared to 1,251 complaints in 2024. 'With our 2025 fatal collisions already sitting at an unacceptable high of 15 in only the first half of the year, we are reminding Edmonton drivers that police are out enforcing traffic laws and charging those who choose to put everyone's safety at risk,' said Sgt. Kerry Bates with the EPS traffic safety unit in the release. Police cited several incidents of street racing, dangerous driving and excessive speed that took place just in the last three months, including a May 19 traffic stop of a Ford Fusion driving 162 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, as well as a three-car collision on April 26 that police believe was the result of street racing. They also cited a May 2 collision between a Yamaha sports motorcycle and a 1989 Ford Bronco that sent a 25-year-old man to hospital with serious injuries. 'These are just a few examples of the extreme speeding, street racing and general dangerous driving we are seeing on our streets,' said Bates. He warned drivers that 'fines for Traffic Safety Act violations, such as stunting, start at $567,' and may result in a suspended driver's licence. In 2024, EPS handed out 121 tickets for stunting, 310 tickets for dangerous driving, and 444 tickets for excessive speeding of more than 50 km/h over the speed limit. There were 26 fatal collisions in 2024. An ongoing battle This past May, EPS conducted an 'Operation 24 Hours' traffic campaign that issued 695 traffic tickets, including 195 tickets for speeding violations. The campaign had fewer violations than the previous Operation 24 Hours on Sept. 12, 2024, which resulted in 733 speeding tickets issued out of 900 total violations. At the time, Bates attributed a portion of the decline to the province's decision to reduce photo radar sites by 70 per cent, citing a need to shift the focus from gaining revenue to traffic safety. That change drew concern from Edmonton's director of traffic safety at the time, who called photo radar a 'critical' safety tool.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Police urge motorcyclists to ride with care following 3 fatal crashes
A motorcycle lays on James Mowatt Trail at 41 Avenue SW in Edmonton on June 20, 2024, where its rider died after crashing. (Galen McDougall / CTV News Edmonton) Now that summer is in full swing, Edmonton police are urging motorcyclists to be careful on roads following three fatal collisions at the start of the season. 'Three fatal motorcycle collisions and multiple serious injuries so far this season are a sobering reminder that even experienced riders can misjudge conditions,' said Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Sgt. Kerry Bates from the Traffic Safety Unit in a statement. 'A little extra caution can save lives.' Data from EPS shows that motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries have been on the rise in recent years: 2020: 2 fatalities, 9 serious injuries 2021: 2 fatalities, 10 serious injuries 2022: 1 fatality, 20 serious injuries 2023: 3 fatalities, 21 serious injuries 2024: 7 fatalities, 28 serious injuries Police are reminding riders to watch for hazards like sand, gravel, uneven pavement and potholes. Protective gear like an approved helmet, jacket, gloves and boots can make the difference between a close call and a life-changing injury, said EPS, adding that riders should always gear up for every ride, no matter how short. 'As a motorcyclist, you need a heightened sense of awareness. You have to be constantly on the lookout for other vehicles that might not see you,' said Bates. 'Scan the road, anticipate hazards, and practice slow-speed maneuvers and emergency stops whenever possible.' Vehicle drivers should also be extra cautious as well, said EPS, reminding drivers to double-check blind spots, use turn signals early and give motorcyclists plenty of space. 'A motorcycle may be closer than it appears, and riders are far less protected than those in a car or truck,' said the statement. EPS said it will be monitoring roads citywide and is reminding that riders must have a class 6 licence to operate a motorcycle. Riding without a proper licence class can result in a fine.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EPS kicks off annual Project TENSOR traffic initiative for 2025
Edmonton drivers better keep an eye on the speed limit, because city police have launched their annual Project TENSOR (traffic enforcement noise/speed offence reductions) traffic initiative for summer 2025. Edmonton Police Service (EPS) said in a Friday news release that Project TENSOR targets drivers violating up to 10 different types of offences, including speeding, causing noise disturbances, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving a motorcycle without a helmet. 'Traffic issues, especially noise and speeding, continue to generate the bulk of the complaints received by traffic section from the general public,' said Sgt. Kerry Bates with the EPS traffic safety unit. 'We certainly understand the public's frustration with these issues and developed Project TENSOR as an ongoing initiative to address these concerns through enforcement and education.' EPS deployed the first wave of enforcement on May 23, which resulted in 169 violations, including 21 hazardous movement violations, 27 speeding violations, and 73 non-hazardous violations such as driving in a bus lane. You can find more information about Project Tensor on the EPS Traffic & Vehicles page. Deadly traffic streak continues as cyclist dies after Monday collision Multiple traffic stops lead to arrests of B.C., Sask. and Alberta residents: RCMP
