Taxi impounded for excessive speed while transporting a passenger who just lost their vehicle to excessive speed
By BC RCMP
Both professional and recreational drivers are expected to drive safely and obey the law; the most recent vehicle impound on the Sea to Sky Highway shows the consequences of ignoring that maxim.
On Sept. 7, 2026, at 11 a.m., on Hwy 99 near Porteau Cove, a BC Highway Patrol motorcycle operator clocked a white Toyota Corolla doing 133 km/h in an 80 zone. Remarkably, the white Toyota was a taxi, and the passenger in the back seat had just lost their own vehicle to an excessive speeding impound.
“Professional drivers do not get a pass to disobey the law. They are expected to know better,” says Sgt. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “Passengers also have every right to politely ask their drivers to obey the law. If you’re not comfortable with a taxi or ride-share driver speeding or driving distracted, say something.”
The taxi driver, a 65-year-old Squamish resident, was issued:
- A seven-day impound for excessive speeding (with the tow and impound at the owner’s expense),
- A ticket for excessive speed (between 41 and 60 km/h over), section 148(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act, with a fine of $368,
- At least three years of high-risk driver premiums and escalating insurance that will bring the total costs over $2,000.
The taxi was one of 21 excessive speeding impounds issued on Labour Day on the Sea to Sky Highway by BC Highway Patrol.
