An impaired driver was caught going 111 kilometres over the speed limit in Maple Ridge with children in the car.
The 37-year-old Vancouver man was driving a white Tesla in the 25200 block of Lougheed Highway at round 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, when he was caught by the Maple Ridge RCMP’s Road Safety Target Team, who were conducting speed enforcement.
A laser reader clocked the Tesla driving 191 km/h in a posted 80 km/h zone.
Once pulled over the driver was subjected to a roadside Approved Screening Device (ASD) test after displaying signs of impairment, which the driver failed, meaning his blood alcohol concentration was too high.
“The driver advised that he was heading home after spending all day at his children’s extracurricular activities,” said Maple Ridge RCMP Specialized Response Team Sergeant Joe Whalley.
“Instead his family had to find an alternative way home and got to see first-hand the consequences of excessive speeding and impaired driving,” added Whalley.
The driver was immediately issued a 90-day driving prohibition and served a $483 violation ticket for excessive speeding.
His vehicle was impounded and he will be responsible for paying all required towing and storage fees.
High-risk driver premiums and escalating insurance will also bring the total costs up even higher.
In situations like this, RoadSafetyBC can impose further driving sanctions such as an Ignition Interlock Device being installed in the vehicle and/or completion of the Responsible Driver Program.
Contact was also made with the Ministry of Children and Family Development regarding the safety of the children.
Whalley noted the Maple Ridge RCMP will continue to proactively enforce road safety in the community targeting those unsafe driving behaviours which puts drivers and others on the roadway at greatest risk.
“We’re thankful that things didn’t turn out worse than they did,” he said of the incident.