‘I got nabbed’: Drivers wrongfully ticketed due to incorrect signage placement in Sage Creek

Drivers may have been improperly issued speeding tickets in a Sage Creek school zone with improperly placed signs. Jeff Keele has more.

Several people posted on social media they have been hit with fines in Sage Creek school zone – some with four or more, and drivers are saying that the tickets may have been improperly issued.

“There’s no way. I didn’t think I’d sped through that zone,” Nick Schmitz said, referencing a $246 surprise ticket inside the hand delivered envelope.

“I got nabbed,” Iris Kennedy said, who is in the same situation but with larger amount - $403.

Both Schmitz and Kennedy received the speeding tickets in a school zone in Sage Creek neighbourhood on Des Hivernants Blvd. However, they are convinced that they weren’t speeding in the school zone, and they might be right.

Kennedy said for people turning onto Des Hivernants Blvd northbound, the sign was hard to see. She and Schmitz both discovered that the sign and other 30 km/h speed limit signs were possibly moved closer to the school a couple of weeks later – meaning, they were ticketed outside the actual school zone.

“How do you issue a speeding ticket for an illegitimate school zone?” Schmitz said.

The issue was not just for the residents of Sage Creek neighbourhood. Several spoke out on social media saying they were hit with tickets too. In Andrew Hryniuk’s case, he has four of them.

“Close to a thousand bucks if not a touch more. It was pretty disheartening,” Hryniuk said.

Tickets will be stayed, refunds will be reviewed and issued: Manitoba Justice

Area councillor Brian Mayes said there was an error, and the signs were initially put in a wrong place.

“Sometimes, people call you and you think ‘that can’t be right.’ In this case, they were right,” Mayes said.

He added that the city and police are aware of the problem, but only Manitoba Justice can rectify the situation. Mayes said the department shouldn’t pursue these tickets since they weren’t in a school zone – something the ticketed drivers also hope.

In a statement, a spokesperson from the province said they are aware of the concerns.

“It has been confirmed that tickets were issued in error due to incorrect signage placement and enforcement outside the designated school zone,” the province said. “Manitoba Prosecutions has advised that active tickets will be stayed, meaning they will not proceed to court.

“Tickets that have already been paid will be reviewed and refunds will be issued where appropriate.”

The spokesperson added that they are working with enforcement and prosecution partners to identify the tickets and ensure timely resolution for impacted individuals.