Former Lancastrian

Now Im all in favour for people getting ticketed for speeding, using cell phones when driving and some other offences but this one Wow.

A Camrose man is ticked about his ticket — a $465 traffic violation issued by Edmonton police — for having a cracked driver's licence.
'Seriously?': Edmonton police issue $465 ticket for cracked driver's licence - Edmonton - CBC News

How many of us be it a credit card or similar card have pulled it out of our wallets and noticed that the card was cracked? My ATM had a small crack but it still works.

I guess common sense is not a strong point with the EPS or mmmm younger policeman suggesting there were 2 in the vehicle either felt pressure to give a ticket (quotas) or power trip or having a really bad day.

There again most Police Forces have become the Revenue Collectors for cities and municipalities with the amount of tickets being dished out and quotas imposed on them to issue tickets.

dave_j

I think the man has just cause to be upset.
He wasn't driving badly, having been pulled over simply because his car resembled one reportedly driving erratically.
The officer admits that the driver wasn't abusive so this can only be one where over officiousness has run riot.
It reminds me of my uncle, who died early having achieved the rank of deputy commander in the London Met. He explained how proud he was as a pc of having pinched someone and having been the first in the met to have applied a new offense. It's a game to some, but like this individual, it's a serious issue when you don't have the money to play.

not2old

without opening that link & seeing the word 'cracked', the first thing that came to my mind was the license had the 'white powdered stuff' on it, you know, using the license as a scraper.

Not as it was all cracked up to be

BristolUK

Obviously someone who can't be trusted.

R I C H

I got an address change applied to my licence recently. In BC this means a printed sticker is applied to a current licence. My licence already had a small crack in it, but the licensing office didn't mention it or care. In effect they reissued it in that condition.

sharkus

Well this is taking automotive snooker to a new level, perhaps this is some kind of trick shot they were playing to gain extra points? That or the guy made the mistake of pissing someone off, unbeknownst to him that the person was a cop and decided for a bit of on the job payback.

scrubbedexpat091

And apparently per Edmonton police statement, the officers gave the guy a break.

"the officer had grounds to lay a careless driving charge, which carries a fine of $543 and six demerit points. But because Balay was co-operative, the officer issued a lesser fine for a cracked driver's licence. "

Vulcanoid

I suppose a key point is what's been missed out of the story - from , but there's nothing else in the story to reference that. Having a car similar to one reported for swerving is not intrinsically an offence. If there was indeed grounds for a careless driving charge and it was knocked down, that's one thing. If they're making that up later, that's another, very serious, thing. Either way, something fairly big is missing.

Paul_Shepherd

This sounds like some comedy sketch!! its absurd... im not sure if i would have been so understanding and co operative. What a stupid over the top law.

Former Lancastrian

I don't think the law is stupid per se its the way things were handled although we haven't actually heard the officers account as opposed to the EPS statement.

Officer ; Can I see your driving licence
Driver ; Here it is
Officer ; I notice your licence has a crack in it which legally is an offence. I suggest you get it changed.
Driver ; I didn't know that I will get it changed. Chances are no ticket issued.

Driver; Its a crack whats the big deal
Officer ; Well it is an offence for which I could ticket you for
Driver ; Sure whatever its not like Im a criminal is it. Haven't you got anything better to do rather than looking for cracks in driving licences
Officer ; Here you go sir heres your ticket and it explains what you need to do next. Now you have a nice day.

Thats called common sense and not having to meet a traffic ticket quota.

Paul_Shepherd

Well if that is the account if what happened then he as good as asked for the ticket, you keep your mouth shut in those situations, why fan the flames.

Former Lancastrian

Its not the actual account of what happened
If you have a copper who uses common sense and a driver who shuts his gob and listens then in most cases nice things happen.
If you suggest that the officer has no mother and father and should be doing other things then in most cases nasty things will happen.

And yes I was an ex copper.

Almost Canadian

Why should a driver have to shut up?

Are you deceased?

Former Lancastrian

Because its rude to interrupt when an officer is talking to you unless he/she wants a reply.
Well today Im alive and kicking but tomorrow might be different

dave_j

It's human nature that those with power seek to ensure that others treat them with due respect. The problem with this is that responsibility that should accompany such power is often cast aside when nobody is looking.

There are many examples of this varying in seriousness and exemplified by the well known Stanford Prison Experiment. No doubt there are some really obnoxious people out there just asking to be locked up but there are also others who are sometimes badly treated by officers who see the rest of us as smart arses who don't have anything useful to say and should keep quiet unless given leave to speak.. or else.