Canada is Using KMH Rather Than MPH

[dontgocanada]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Vancouver (Surrey), BC, Canada

I was pulled over by a police in one hour of deporting from the cruise in Vancouver, while driving 29 mph in a speed zone of 30. The police told me I was driving 47 in a speed zone 30. I told the police that I have been watching my GPS and my speed had been below 30. My friend in the passenger seat also validated my speed claim and told the police officer that we just got out of cruiseship one hour ago and not familiar with this area.

The police did not accept our claims and simply gave us a $196 speeding ticket for such a slow driving speed. Afterwards we realized that Canadian is using km rather than mph (somehow their supermarket is still using lb rather than kg). 29 mph is 47 km/h. This mixed use of units really cause confusion to tourists and Canadian police used this to make easy money out of tourists.

Any way to have Canadian court to dismiss this innocent mistake by tourist?

Thanks!

[flyingron]

US law only. But, when in Rome, do as the Romans.

[LawResearcherMissy]

This mixed use of units really cause confusion to tourists and Canadian police used this to make easy money out of tourists.

Hah, no. Not even. Canada has been on the metric system since the '70s, with all speed limit signs being changed over BY LAW from mph to km/h in 1977. This is not some new thing they cooked up to screw with the tourists.

That the Canadian Imperial Pound is still in use in the grocery store is completely irrelevant.

Take your checkbook to court with you.

[cyjeff]

did you notice that the speedometer had BOTH measurements on it for just such emergencies?

Another country is allowed to measure speed using any measurment they wish, though MOST use metric.

Ignorance of the law is usually not a very good excuse. By the way, when you pay the fine, I suggest you make sure you are paying in CANADIAN dollars.

Darn those Canadians......

[dontgocanada]

Well, for someone visiting Canada often, it is natural to notice the unit difference. For someone rarely traveling to Canada, in particular the first one hour in this foreign country and busy on watching at GPS for direction, it is not easy to respond to different unit quickly.

[cbg]

Tough cookies. You're not given a free pass to violate Canadian law just because it would be inconvenient for you to have to make the adjustment to local law.

I say this as one who is a citizen of both countries; this is why Americans are seen as being so arrogant, rude, and entitled - because they are. Holy hannah.

[cyjeff]

I have to ask.

When you went to a foreign country, did you really expect nothing to be different? Furthermore, stop referencing your GPS... it doesn't absolve you of anything.

The next time you leave the country, I recommend you take a moment to find out the local traffic laws if, for instance, you wish to drive. Thank goodness you weren't driving in England... you would be asking their forgiveness for driving on the right.