BC RCMP say they pulled over a driver on the Coquihalla for doing more than double the speed limit in a Corvette this past weekend.

Spokesperson Cpl. Mike Halskov says the incident happened on Saturday, April 17, about 35 km south of Merritt.

“An officer with BC RCMP Traffic Services in Merritt was conducting speed enforcement on Highway 5 when his in-car radar unit captured a northbound Corvette traveling at over twice the speed limit – 243 kilometres per hour, to be exact,” he said.

Halskov says the RCMP have little tolerance for excessive speeders on provincial highways, noting the driver was safely pulled over by the officer.

“The driver was issued an Appearance Notice for excessive speed, meaning that the driver must appear in Court, where, upon conviction, penalties may be significantly higher than the maximum fine allowed by serving a ticket,” Halskov added.

“In addition, the vehicle was impounded and the officer is considering other options, including submitting a High Risk Driver report to RoadSafetyBC requesting a lengthy driving prohibition.”

According to provincial statistics, an average of 115 people die every year in the province in crashes involving high-risk driving. Halskov says injuries and death caused by high-risk driving can be prevented.

“Driving is a privilege and B.C. is a leader when it comes to holding drivers accountable for their actions,” he added. “Police remind motorists to obey speed limits, wear seatbelts, drive sober, and distraction-free every time you get behind the wheel.”

(Photo via BC RCMP)