By Jasmine Franklin
The peace officer watched as a motorist drove 160 km/hr on a three-digit highway and continued to flash his finger at law enforcement – and the officer couldn’t do anything.
But all that has changed.
The county had plans to apply to the province for enforcement rights against careless drivers on three-digit (secondary) highways. But that no longer is on the to-do list for the county after the province designated certain capabilities to peace officers.
“The Alberta government basically now allows for our peace officers to pursue enforcement on these highways if it is necessary,” said Charlie Cutforth, Ponoka County’s chief administrative officer. “If there is an emergency, extenuating circumstances or the potential someone could be hurt our officers can enforce.”
While the province has jurisdiction over main and secondary highways, Cutforth said the county has no desire to take over those roads.