Thirty-six-year-old Michael Peterec, of Kelowna B.C., is facing a criminal charge of dangerous driving that could result in a huge fine and possibly jail time.
Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, of the Alberta RCMP Traffic Unit, says the penalty is high for putting the life of people at risk by driving at such a reckless speed. Peterec was clocked doing 270 kph in a posted 110 km/h zone with his 2011 Porsche 911 at 7 p.m. on Oct. 15 heading eastbound on Hwy. 1 near Hermitage Rd.
The driver fully cooperated when stopped. The officer warned him of the danger of driving at such high speeds and after his investigation laid criminal charges.
"If the Crown elects to go by summary conviction, the driver of the Porsche could be sentenced to two years less a day, and/or a $5,000 fine and a driving suspension," explains Sgt. Turnbull. "If the Crown elects to go by indictment, it goes up from there to 10 years in jail."
He says the traffic unit will be beefing up enforcement in the area, although it's already commonly patrolled. What many may not realize is that the police continue to conduct aircraft speed enforcement.
"People see the lines on the highway and they think we don't do that anymore, but we do."
Sadly, he says high speeds are far too common.
"On this stretch of highway, we have several reported, recorded numbers, well in access of 200 kph, however, 270 is the highest speed I've heard of on this stretch of highway. Just way too fast... dangerous."
"Please, we're just asking motorists, these limits are there for everybody's safety. Simply obey the speed limits, leave your phone alone, wear your seatbelt, drive sober, and we can have more weekends like we did October Long Weekend, where we had no fatality collisions in Alberta. I can't remember the last time that happened in Alberta for a summertime long weekend."
An Alberta RCMP Traffic Forensic Collision Reconstructionist was consulted and provided a detailed report for use in court as expert evidence to support the criminal code charge.
The speed limit along this section of Hwy. 1 is 110 kph, and once brakes are applied, a vehicle will need 55.96 m to come to a complete stop.
At a speed of 270 km/h, once brakes are applied, a vehicle will need 337.29 m to come to a complete stop.
According to Alberta Transportation, more than half of all fatal collisions involving unsafe speeds occur in rural areas. In 2021, there were 70,580 recorded speeding offences in Alberta RCMP jurisdiction with RCMP officers charging 913 motorists with excessive speeds of travelling more than 50 km/h over the posted limit.
Peterec is scheduled to appear at Cochrane Provincial Court on Dec. 13.
Fri, May 3, 10:00 AM
