Is a Speeding Ticket a Criminal Offense?

In short, no… speeding tickets are classified as provincial offenses and are listed under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act. While high speed tickets can have significant consequences like fines, demerit points, and license suspensions, there is no such thing as criminal speeding in Alberta.

When Does Speeding Become Criminal?

…when it gets the attention of your insurance carrier.

Though there is no criminal offense speeding ticket, high speed tickets (more than 50 over) are treated like they were a criminal speeding charge by insurance companies, and the financial impact is huge on your insurance rates.

Don’t be surprised to see a 50-100% surcharge over the next three years.

The other way you can escalate a court summons speeding ticket is by not dealing with it by the due date… or not paying the fine on time. Then that ticket will become a warrant for your arrest.

Not a situation you want to be in …but we can help with that if you are.