A driver from Alberta is facing significant penalties after British Columbia highway police rejected his unusual justification for travelling at dangerously high speeds. The incident occurred on a major highway in the province's southeast, resulting in a fine and a week-long vehicle impoundment.
The High-Speed Stop Near Cranbrook
According to the RCMP, the event unfolded on the evening of December 30, 2025. A BC Highway Patrol officer pulled over a Mercedes-Benz SUV with Alberta licence plates on Highway 3/95 near Moyie, approximately 425 kilometres southwest of Calgary. The officer's radar recorded the vehicle travelling at 160 kilometres per hour in a posted 100 km/h zone.
A "Questionable" Justification from the Driver
When confronted about his excessive speed, the Alberta motorist offered an explanation that police found less than convincing. The driver claimed he was accelerating to avoid an elk on the roadway. The BC Highway Patrol was not swayed by this defence.
Corporal Michael McLaughlin of the BC Highway Patrol provided a pointed rebuttal to the driver's claim. "The maximum speed of a North American elk is about 70 km/h, so they are just as athletic as they are majestic," stated Cpl. McLaughlin. "But if you feel the need to get away, you still have plenty of room to spare in a 100 km/h zone."
Costly Consequences for the Speeding Motorist
The repercussions for the driver were immediate and substantial. He was issued a violation ticket under the BC Motor Vehicle Act for exceeding the speed limit by 60 km/h, carrying a fine of $483.
In addition to the fine, the driver's Mercedes-Benz SUV was impounded for seven days. He is also responsible for all associated towing and impound lot storage fees. Police highlighted that the infraction will likely lead to increased insurance premiums, a financial sting that will extend beyond the immediate penalties.
Cpl. McLaughlin used the incident to offer some sobering advice to all drivers. "Instead of coming up with questionable excuses, consider leaving slightly earlier, slowing to the speed limit, and saving yourself the cost and hassle of losing your vehicle to an impound," he said.
He also noted the potential for far worse outcomes at such extreme speeds. "If you ever hit such a large creature while driving 160, it will end badly for you and very badly for the elk." Authorities confirmed that no elk were harmed during this particular incident.
