Starting Monday, March 19, people pulled over for traffic infractions might see a difference in the look of the ticket they are issued by Halifax Regional Police and Halifax District RCMP officers.
As part of the testing phase of a project to create efficiencies and streamline the ticketing process for traffic infractions and neighbourhood issues such as noise and public intoxication, ten police vehicles have been equipped to allow officers to create and print electronic tickets in their vehicles.
Electronic tickets have many benefits. Because they are generated by a computer application that automatically populates many fields, illegibility issues and the potential for errors associated with written tickets are greatly reduced. The direct interface from the police system to the court system eliminates the need to enter data twice and will make it easier for citizens to arrange court dates. By drastically reducing the time taken to issue a ticket, the electronic process will allow officers to move on to their next call and citizens to go on their way more quickly. Less time spent at the roadside will increase both officer and public safety.
“Electronic tickets will enhance our productivity, allow us to more effectively address those quality-of-life issues that are of concern to our citizens and give us additional time to serve and protect our community,” said Halifax Regional Police Superintendent Bill Moore.
A total of 48 officers and eight civilian employees will be participating in the pilot, expected to last four to six weeks. The pilot will provide the opportunity to identify any issues and tweak the system prior to the gradual roll out of the electronic ticketing to all HRP/RCMP patrol vehicles. The electronic ticket project is part of a larger provincial initiative to support the transition from handwritten to electronic tickets across Nova Scotia.
“I congratulate Halifax Regional Municipality on being the first municipality in the province to take advantage of a new, streamlined electronic ticketing process,” said Justice Minister Ross Landry. “Electronic tickets are more efficient, enhance safety and reduce costs. We worked closely with Halifax to make this project a reality, and we look forward to helping other municipalities adopt electronic tickets.”
Source: Release