18 vehicles impounded over four days due to extreme, reckless speeding
By Castlegar Source
Extreme speed is becoming an increasingly prevalent – and dangerous – issue on Kootenay highways, according to RCMP Sgt. John Ferguson.
“On the August long weekend, the WKTS/ Nelson Integrated Road Safety Unit impounded seven vehicles for travelling in excess of 40 km/hr an hour over the posted speed limit,” Feguson said.” These vehicles are impounded for seven days at the owners’ expense and the driver receives a minimum fine of $368.00 and demerit points.”
He said the highest speed they clocked was a motorcycle, at night, doing 185 km/hr.
“We originally thought this was due to the long weekend, but Tuesday the Traffic unit impounded 11 more vehicles for excessive speed and charged one person for impaired driving under the influence of a drug and had numerous drug seizures,” he said. “We are very concerned about the high speeds observed on our highways.
“Combine this with impaired driving and it is a recipe for disaster.”
He said we can expect an influx of 15,000 to the region as Shambhala approaches, and called for more care on local highways.
“The Traffic members are out in full force with the addition of traffic members from across the province,” he said. “Please be careful in driving and be warned there will be concentrated enforcement across our region as we want everyone to be safe and get to their destination alive and well.”
