Manitoba RCMP, led by the Spruce Plains detachment, RCMP Traffic Services and Motor Carrier Enforcement, have wrapped up a two-day traffic enforcement blitz along the Yellowhead Highway and Highway 10. They said the blitz, on October 13 and 14, came after residents raised concerns about speeding, commercial vehicle traffic and overall highway safety.
“Over the two days, Motor Carrier Enforcement – a division of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure – completed 34 commercial vehicle inspections,” said RCMP in a release. “Fifteen vehicles failed inspection and another four were placed out of service. In total, Motor Carrier Enforcement officers issued 22 offence notices and three warnings.”
Spruce Plains RCMP and RCMP Traffic Services issued 34 tickets for traffic offences over those two days, including 16 tickets to drivers who failed to slow down when approaching or passing Motor Carrier Enforcement officers performing their inspections when their vehicles had its emergency lights activated. RCMP are now reminding drivers that the speed limit is 60 kilometers per hour when passing emergency vehicles that are stopped with lights activated on highways with posted speed limits of 80 km/h or higher. The speed limit lowers to 40 km/h on highways where the speed limit is below 80 km/h.
RCMP also issued 15 speeding tickets, with a 22-year-old Brandon male being the biggest offender. About 20 minutes after receiving a warning for failing to slow down when approaching or passing an emergency vehicle when its lights were activated, he was pulled over further down Highway 16 after being clocked travelling at 136 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. This time, no warning was given and he was issued a $521 ticket.
