High speeds on High Level Bridge ‘alarming’ for Edmonton police

After four drivers were caught going more than double the speed limit on the High Level Bridge Thursday night, Edmonton police are asking motorists to slowdown.

During traffic enforcement on the bridge Thursday, 25 vehicles were stopped for speeding. Four of the speeding vehicles were travelling at least 54 km/h over the 50 km/h speed limit, including two vehicles recorded at 118 km/h.

“The speeds we’re seeing on the bridge are alarming,” Sgt. Kerry Bates, EPS Traffic Safety Coordinator, said. “We’re responding weekly to reports of vehicles driving dangerously and motorcycle racing – citizens need to slow down.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The speeds we're seeing on the bridge are alarming," Sgt. Kerry Bates, EPS Traffic Safety Coordinator, said. "We're responding weekly to reports of vehicles driving dangerously and motorcycle racing - citizens need to slow down."

READ MORE: Edmonton police hand out 3,030 speeding tickets in 24 hours

There was a similar situation Monday night when police caught 25 drivers speeding during a two hour period on the High Level. Four vehicles were clocked travelling more than double the speed limit, with one vehicle recorded at 119 km/h.

On Aug. 18, 32 people received tickets for speeding on the bridge, with four motorists driving at least 50 km/h over the limit.

Police said they’re focusing on the High Level because of ongoing concerns about motorist’s habits on the bridge, but the High Level isn’t the only area where motorists have been caught driving dangerously fast. Officers stopped a Mitsubishi Lancer on Aug. 20 on the James MacDonald Bridge after the vehicle was recorded at 131 km/h in the 60 km/h zone.

READ MORE: A pole is struck in Edmonton every day: 2015 traffic collision stats

Another driver was ticked for travelling 54 km/h over the speed limit on Aug. 24.

“These high speeds create dangerous situations for drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. Downtown residents have also voiced concerns about unnecessary noise in the community caused by speeding and racing cars and motorcycles,” Sgt. Phil Cutting said.

“We need motorists to take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel.”

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Edmonton police said they laid a criminal charge against one driver who was recorded travelling 196 km/h on the Sherwood Park Freeway near 50 Street.