The Drumheller RCMP are employing a new technology that will make ticketing faster and more accurate.

The RCMP have begun to introduce electronic ticketing. The RCMP now have two vehicles in its fleet that are able to quickly and accurately prepare tickets.

  Constable Eric Doucette is already using the technology in the traffic cruiser. He says one of the biggest advantages is it allows the ticket to be entered into all the RCMP and court systems immediately.

“Before administration staff had to enter all the information, now the court has it immediately,” he said.

The system scans the driver’s license and will auto-populate the ticket eliminating issues such as clerical errors or messy handwriting. The officer is able to enter the offense notice and add additional notes. After all the initial ticket information is inputted,  subsequent tickets can be added extremely quickly.

After the ticket is complete, it is printed out from a printer installed in the armrest of the police cruiser.

It is expected this will mean a traffic stop will take about a third less time than current procedures.

The tickets are for all provincial matters and are in the system immediately. So, for example, if a person wants to use the voluntary fine payment option, they can go directly to the courthouse to pay.

So far the RCMP have the system in its traffic cruiser, and one of its new vehicles. Eventually, all RCMP vehicles will be equipped with this new technology.

Saskatchewan began its pilot program in 2013, and Manitoba in 2014. BC brought in the system last spring.

Drumheller RCMP are on scene investigating a fatal single-vehicle accident on Verdant Valley Road

The Drumheller Fire Department, Alberta Health Services Ambulance, and police responded to the incident on Highway 576 near Range Road 184 about two kilometres east of the Verdant Valley Community Hall.

A pickup truck travelling eastbound lost control and left the road. Road conditons were icy at the time of the collision. There were three males in the vehicle, the driver of the truck was sent to hospital with minor injuries. One passenger was transported to via Stars to Calgary with serious life-threatening injuries. The other male passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Drumheller RCMP and RCMP collision analyst remain at the scene and will are expected to be there for another 40 minutes. Motorists are advised to use caution when approaching the area. The collision remains under investigation.