Driver clocked at 240 km/hr driving down Coquihalla

KELOWNA – Ever wondered what it would be like to drive down the Coquihalla at top speed?

Turns out it would be costly, as well as dangerous.

Central Interior Traffic Services grounded a "high flier" on the Coquihalla highway south of Merritt May 12, who was  driving 240 kilometres per hour in a 120 km/h zone.

“An officer stopped the vehicle and spoke with the driver who claimed there was a problem with the accelerator,” said Cpl. Mike Halskov, in a press release.

“The officer proceeded to issue the driver a ticket for excessive speed ($483 plus three points), impounded his vehicle for seven days and issued a Level 1 inspection notice due to the obvious safety concern with the accelerator pedal. A Level 1 inspection notice effectively removes the vehicle from the road and it must pass a full vehicle safety inspection before it can be driven again. All costs are borne by the driver.”

Impairment was ruled out by way of a mandatory roadside breath test.

This incident falls during High Risk Driving month in BC and police cannot stress enough the dangers of excessive speeding. Slowing down and obeying speed limits significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death and gives drivers added time to perceive and react to the unexpected.

Please drive defensively, obey speed limits, wear seatbelts, drive sober and distraction-free every time you get behind the wheel – for your safety and that of others.

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