Let's play a game.
Would you rather....ignore speed limit signs, as well as the familiar don't-drink-and-drive phrase, and risk injury or worse to yourself and innocent bystanders, or go easy on the accelerator and be completely aware of your surroundings so that you and everyone else gets home safely?
The answer seems very clear, but there are some Tri-Cities commuters still choosing to risk the well-being of themselves and others.
Coquitlam RCMP experienced déjà vu the night of Dec. 12 and 13 when they impounded six vehicles off the road after catching four motorists for excessive speeding and two for impaired driving.
To clarify, you're not reading the same story twice. That's the same number and infractions that took place last Sunday night (Dec. 4).
This time, local Mounties are also alerting new drivers of the consequences of poor road behaviour after an "N" licence-wielding motorist had their vehicle impounded for clocking 129 km/h in a 50 km zone in Coquitlam.
"It's disappointing to see drivers putting others at risk through their decisions behind the wheel," spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins told the Tri-City News, adding it's not worth the risk to turn aside the law for your own personal gain.
"It's troubling when we remind drivers of the potential dangers, but it keeps happening. We want all drivers, especially inexperienced drivers, not to drive contrary to the rules of the road and to obey the posted speed limits."
Hodgins noted it should be expected of all drivers to know that police are out in the community conducting proactive traffic enforcement to keep all road users safe.
"Our officers work 24/7 to keep our communities safe, including our roads," the detachment added in a social media post.
In total, Coquitlam RCMP have impounded 13 vehicles in less than two weeks.
New timeline
The latest speeding crackdown occurred in a span of eight hours from Sunday night (Dec. 12) into Monday morning (Dec. 13) — all in Coquitlam.
Before 7 p.m., police pulled over an impaired driver heading northbound on Pinetree Way near Town Centre Park, and their vehicle was subsequently impounded.
Four hours later, police impounded a second vehicle after an excessive speedster was caught for driving 120 km/h in a 70 km/h zone on Lougheed Highway (7) near Como Lake Avenue.
Then, 20 minutes later, a lead-footed motorist drove 110 km/h in a 50 km/h zone along Como Lake Avenue at Wasco Street, which is near several early childhood education facilities, including Parkland Elementary.
Cops caught another driver on Lougheed at 12:30 a.m., this time at Chilko Drive for driving under the influence.
The final two vehicles were impounded for excessive speeding in 70 km/h zones along Highway 7 at 1:43 and 3:02 a.m. respectively.
One driver posted nearly double the limit at 138 km/h near Pitt River Road, and a second at Como Lake Avenue for accelerating to 128 km/h.
New driver
In the case of the "N" driver, they had their vehicle impounded back on Dec. 3 just after 12:40 a.m.
According to police, the motorist was speeding nearly three times the 50 km/h limit — clocking 129 km/h near David Avenue and Shaughnessy Street — just north of Coquitlam's River Springs neighbourhood.
ICBC statistics show 71 known crashes, including 34 that resulted in injuries or fatalities, occurred in the vicinity of this intersection between 2017 and 2021.
Hodgins said the driver also didn't have their 'N' magnet displayed, a violation under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), and was also fined for having too many non-family member passengers inside the vehicle.
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.
However, those could potentially be extended if a review of the operator's history deems it necessary.
RCMP ask 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].
