A British Columbia RCMP highway patrol officer encountered a trio of motorists offering what police describe as remarkably poor justifications for driving at dangerous speeds on a single day along the scenic Sea to Sky Highway.
Double the Limit and Dubious Defences
The incidents unfolded on December 30, just before the New Year, on Highway 99 near Porteau Cove. According to the provincial highway patrol, an officer first stopped a Subaru and a rented Volkswagen that were racing each other.
Radar clocked the Volkswagen travelling at 154 km/h and the Subaru at 149 km/h in an 80 km/h zone – speeds nearly double the legal limit.
When pulled over, the Subaru driver claimed he had accelerated because the other vehicle "was tailgating me." The driver of the rented Volkswagen offered that he "wanted to get ahead" of the Subaru as merge lanes ended, stating he was on his way to the airport.
"Not the Time to Get Competitive"
Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, a spokesman for the B.C. Highway Patrol, dismissed the drivers' reasoning. "Merge lanes are not the time to get competitive," McLaughlin stated.
"At best your dangerous driving will gain you a few seconds. At worst you’ll crash horribly or lose hours of your time getting your vehicle impounded by police. If you want to save time, leave earlier and drive the speed limit," he advised.
A Birthday Plea Falls Flat
Later the same day, the same officer stopped a Porsche in the same area for travelling a staggering 88 km/h over the posted limit. The driver's defence? She asked the officer to be "considerate" because she was celebrating her birthday.
Cpl. McLaughlin was unmoved. "It’s our job to keep the roads safe," he said. "If you drive inconsiderately, you will face the consequences no matter the occasion."
Costly Consequences for All Three
The outcomes for all three drivers were severe and uniform:
- Each received a $483 ticket for excessive speeding (defined as more than 60 km/h over the limit).
- Their vehicles were impounded on the spot.
- The drivers based in B.C. will see their insurance premiums increase for three years, at an estimated total cost of $2,500 each.
- The driver of the rented Volkswagen is also likely to face additional penalties from the rental company.
The enforcement action serves as a stark reminder from the B.C. Highway Patrol that dangerous driving carries significant financial and legal penalties, regardless of the excuse offered to police.
