By Shane O'Neill

City ponders stricter idling bylaw

Feb 2, 2017 | 4:00 PM

Vehicle owners in Prince Albert could be facing tougher fines for leaving their cars unlocked and idling before the end of the winter.

At Monday’s executive committee meeting, the city’s manager of traffic and transportation, Kerri Sapsford, presented a proposal from the Prince Albert Police Service to increase the fine for leaving running cars unattended in the city.

The traffic bylaw currently states: “No person shall permit a vehicle to be parked with the engine running unless the same is locked or is in the charge of and under control of a licensed driver.” It comes with a fine of $25, reduced to $10 if paid early.

The police recommended an increased fine of $100, reduced to $50 if paid early, but the executive committee wanted more of a deterrent.

Mayor Greg Dionne supported the motion, but wanted the fine increased to $300, reduced to $100 if paid early, to serve as a greater deterrent and get residents of the city thinking seriously about leaving their cars unattended.

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“People don’t understand, these stolen cars are not being stolen by very nice people,” he said. “They risk the general public’s safety when [police] get into a high speed chase, chasing a stolen vehicle.”

The proposal also includes a plan to get residents to understand the risks associated with leaving a vehicle running and unattended.

“If we move forward with this, we’re going to also do a public awareness campaign telling people the risks of leaving their vehicle running and unlocked, and free up police resources away from this preventable crime,” Sapsford said.

The amended bylaw won’t apply to people with remote starters.

Dionne also wants statistics on number of injuries or deaths caused by drivers in a stolen vehicle.

Council will vote on the amendment at their next meeting on Feb. 13.

shane.oneill@paNOW.com