Some Kennebecasis Valley motorists are now being issued electronic tickets for certain provincial offences under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Since March 11, the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force has been issuing e-tickets to speed up the ticketing and administrative process.
E-ticketing allows officers to instantly collect information about a driver such as their name and address, by swiping their driver’s licence through an electronic reader.
“It benefits not just the police force, but Service New Brunswick and the provincial courts because once an e-ticket has been generated roadside, it gets sent electronically to both departments as well,” said Sgt. Evan Scott of the Traffic Services Division.
The technology also makes it safer for officers, he said.
“They will spend less time on the side of the road, which would increase their safety, and they wouldn’t be subjected to oncoming traffic,” continued Scott.
Even though the ticket is generated electronically, Scott clarified that motorists will still receive a paper copy of the ticket.
“It’s just an electronic version instead of the handwritten version of a ticket. It’s going to be more legible for the driver, they will be able to read the ticket, and also read the instructions on whether or not they want to pay the ticket, or whether or not they want to file a notice of dispute and contest the ticket.”
Scott added motorists have 45 days to contest the ticket through the court or to pay the ticket at Service New Brunswick or online.
He noted that some officers are still issuing handwritten tickets as they become more familiar with the new technology.
“In time, once they get used to the e-ticketing, the e-ticketing will be the preferred method of issuing a ticket rather than a handwritten ticket,” said Scott.
KRPF is believed to be the third municipal force to incorporate e-ticketing, according to Scott. RCMP have been issuing e-tickets in New Brunswick since 2020.
