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BARRHEAD - A woman caught driving with a suspended licence received a substantial fine.
Justice Gregory Arnold Rice fined Rachel Glenna Ward $750 for the offence following an ex parte trial on July 9 at Barrhead Court of Justice.
Ward has until Sept. 10, 2024, to pay the fine. If she does not pay, she could spend 14 days in jail.
Traffic prosecutor R. Rees said the driver's suspension dates back to a September 2015 driving while impaired conviction.
Jagpreet Gill, an Alberta sheriff with public safety and emergency services, testified he was patrolling a section of Highway 32, about two kilometres south of Swan Hills, when he observed a grey pick-up truck heading north on the highway, estimating that it was travelling faster than the 100 km/h speed limit.
His radar confirmed that the vehicle was travelling at 128 km/h.
Gill then initiated a traffic stop, asking for the female driver's licence.
When asked for her licence, the driver, who identified herself as Glenna Ward, claimed that she had left it at home.
He then inputted her name and relevant vehicle information into his computer, performing a Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) check.
"The information came back that her driver's licence status was suspended at the time," Gill said, adding that dispatch confirmed the information.
Gill then issued a traffic violation ticket for speeding and a Section 94(2) Traffic Safety Act ticket for driving while suspended.
Rees asked what resources Gill used to confirm Ward's identity.
"I gathered all the information I could verbally and inputted it into my system and matched the description from the computer with the driver, and I was satisfied that it was the same person," Gill responded, adding she also provided him with her date of birth which also matched the CPIC file," he said.
Gill also noted that the CPIC file included information on the vehicle, including its registration and licence plate numbers, which matched the one the accused was driving.
Rhees also noted that Ward has a history of driving with several previous convictions while prohibited.
Rees said she is asking for a $1,000 fine compared to the usual $600.
"It seems reasonable to me," Rice said but slightly lowered the fine to $750.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
