New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) is tomorrow, which means the return of in-person gatherings and celebrations.
Coquitlam RCMP are advising those choosing to raise a glass to 2023 to plan for a safe ride home, and for everyone to obey the speed limit following recent nights of eyebrow-raising traffic enforcement.
Mounties impounded a total of 12 vehicles over the last two nights, including seven on Wednesday (Dec. 28) and five on Thursday (Dec. 29) — and every motorist was caught excessively speeding at a minimum of 50 km/h over the mark.
Lougheed Highway (7) appeared to be the proverbial race track for local drivers as 11 were caught somewhere on the stretch, including one at more than double the posted limit.
Four of which were in the exact same location in a span of just over two hours.
"Don't drive under the influence," said Coquitlam RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins.
"There are lots of alternatives, such as: appoint a designated driver, stay the night, use a ride-share program or call a taxi."
In all cases, the maximum fine for excessive speeding is $483 under Section 148(1) under the MVA, and the minimum impoundment length is seven days.
Vehicle impoundments can be potentially extended if a review of the operator's history deems it necessary.
"Posted speed limits are maximum speeds during ideal conditions (dry roads, clear visibility)," said Coquitlam RCMP in a social media post.
"Road safety is a priority, we're always on the look out for speeding, distracted and impaired drivers."
The fastest motorist clocked 153 km/h near the intersection of Orchid Drive and Lougheed — 83 km/h over the posted 70 limit.
That was at 1:08 a.m. early Thursday morning and came 30 minutes before another lead-foot driver was pulled over at 130 km/h in the same area.
Those were the latter of the four Orchid Drive speedsters. The first two were impounded at 11:19 and 11:40 p.m. respectively, and each climbed to 119 km/h.
According to ICBC, there were 314 crashes — fatal and non-fatal — recorded within the vicinity of Orchid Drive and Lougheed Highway between 2017 and 2021.
The other three were as follows:
- 7:27 p.m., Dec. 28
- 125 km/h in 60 zone near United Boulevard and Shuswap Avenue
- 2:09 a.m., Dec. 29
- 130 km/h in 70 zone near Lougheed and Chilko Drive
- 3:44 a.m., Dec. 29
- 135 km/h in 70 zone near Lougheed and Colony Farm Road
Meanwhile, five other motorists were ticketed for excessive speeding at more than 40 km/h over the limit between Thursday night and early this morning (Dec. 30).
The infractions are as follows, three of which included seven-day impoundments:
- 8:10 p.m, Dec. 29
- 134 km in 70 zone near Lougheed and Orchid Drive
- Vehicle impounded
- 9 p.m., Dec. 29
- 130 km in 70 zone near Lougheed and Orchid Drive
- Vehicle impounded
- 11 p.m., Dec. 29
- 114 km in 70 zone near Lougheed and Chilko Drive
- 1:25 a.m., Dec. 30
- 115 km in 70 zone near Lougheed and Orchid Drive
- 2:12 a.m., Dec. 30
- 161 km in 70 zone near Lougheed and Como Lake Avenue
- Vehicle impounded.
Police in the region are asking residents to call 9-1-1 if they witness excessive speeding or dangerous driving.
Those who have concerns about speeding in their neighbourhood should contact the Tri-Cities Speed Watch team at [email protected].
