A driver caught going 240 kilometres per hour on the Coquihalla Highway blamed his speed on a malfunctioning accelerator in his vehicle, after being pulled over by the RCMP on May 12.
“The traffic services officer was conducting speed laser enforcement when he visually estimated the speed of an oncoming vehicle at over 200 kilometres per hour,” stated a news release from the RCMP. “The officer confirmed the vehicle’s speed at 240 km/h in the posted 120 km/h zone using a laser speed measuring device.”
The driver was issued a $483 ticket for excessive speed, and had his vehicle impounded for seven days. The officer also issued a level 1 inspection notice on the vehicle, due to the “obvious safety concern with the accelerator pedal,” according to the news release.
“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,” stated the RCMP. “All costs are borne by the driver. Impairment was ruled out by way of a mandatory roadside breath test.”
The incident falls during High Risk Driving month in B.C., with RCMP stressing the danger 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,” said Cpl. Mike Halskov.
