BC Impounds Excessive Speeders Vehicles

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Burninator

...and the strugglers who were previously going 10kph below the speed limit plant their foot during the passing lane.

That's the thing- if BC was serious about this being about road safety, they would have a sign campagn at the begining of passing lanes. Saying something like:

"Were you going 10 under before this passing lane? If so please maintain your speed to allow others to pass."

[Senator Clay Davis]

So I totally won the lottery when I got stopped going 153km/h in a 110 zone on the Coquihalla (racing to get to a tee time in Kamloops from Vancouver). I got stopped by a Peace Officer and apparently they either cannot do anything, or perhaps I was given a break because I had BC plates on (I was driving a rental), but I got just a warning and was let go. Obviously had I got the rental impounded I'd be up ####s creek sans paddle.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Was the straight stretch that area with the nice wide grass shoulders? That is the same spot I got nailed coming back from the valley.

I got pinched there a couple years ago when I had my S4. I had to stop to let some German guy pee, and then tried to catch up to the car we were following, as I didn't know where we were staying.

The cop was a car guy and complimented my car and asked:

Cop: "What's the top speed on this?"
Me: "About 270km/h, but I promise that's from research not experience"
Cop: "Next time just keep going. I'm limited to 130km/h"

I got a pretty good chuckle out of it. I don't think I'd say the same if he called a tow truck to take it away...

[Ice_Weasel]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

I drove 2300 km in BC a couple weeks ago, most of it single lane highway, including Highway 3 from Crowsnest Pass all the way to Hope.

Never once during my trip did I have to go 40 over the limit to pass a single vehicle. You're not doing it right if you're needing to speed THAT much to pass someone. The fastest I did was 120 km/h in a 90km/h zone to pass an idiot from Alberta between Nakusp and Galena Bay who hated corners and loved passing lanes with a passion.

Most of the time you could easily get away with 15 over at most to get past someone, and if you needed to do go that fast to pass, you probably weren't in a safe situation to start with. (ie. Strugglers who aren't paying attention to the road and notice the line paint change to passing halfway through that section. I saw that often.)

I certainly don't have any sympathy for the idiots racing down the road who got caught doing this. If I did 40km/h over the limit, I wouldn't even want to embarass myself in public about getting pulled over. =\

So 30 km over the legal limit makes you a better person than some of the 'idiots' out there, but 40km over would be embarassing. The view must be nice from inside your glass house.

[troutman]

Many of the worst highway accidents are a result of dangerous passing. Hwy 8 to Bragg Creek is a bad example of this.

[Old Yeller]

Granted it doesn't make much sense to even bother passing on Hwy 8 anymore.

[Travis Munroe]

^ True but plenty of dangerous passing is started by another idiotic driver who typically:
- at least 10 km/h under the limit....if they approach the actually speed limit they use their brakes vs just easing off the gas.
- hugs the center line making it impossible to find a safe time to pass
- reduce speed by 20km/h going around corners as they do not realize the posted speed limit is still a safe speed to do corners at

I have no issue with someone going slow and having all day to get to their destination. I get fired up when I know the guy is oblivious to the train of cars behind him...Every driver should be aware of their surroundings which involves rear view mirror glances.

[burn_this_city]

Modern vehicles can't possibly take highway corners at 90km/h, to do so is irresponsible (scary).

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by Cuz

Under section 11(d) of the charter, we have the right to the presumption of innocence. Immediately impounding one's vehicle, to me, is a clear violation of this principle.

Yes I see what you are saying, but in this case they were either doing 40 km/h or over, or they were not, it's fairly black and white on if they were going over or not, not really a case of: are you innocent of going over 40 when you were going over 40?

I was in a car once and the cop luckily didn't slap on the excessive speeding for the driver, got him on the no 'N' displayed ($100 no demerits) and the highest ticket that wasn't the excessive speeding. Now he was just at the 40km/h over speed limit.

But it's a fairly black and white law, you are either speeding more than 40km/h or you are not. The law says that if you are, your car is impounded. The officers are just following the law, they are not personally deciding to take your car away at random, they aren't the jury or judge, they are just simply following the law.

And as I said earlier: good, I want them off the road, no need to have reckless drivers on the road, there are speed limits for a reason, and doing excessive speeding like that is completely not necessary or safe no matter what you think.

[Hemi-Cuda]

On a side note related to Hwy 93, I know BC has this big plan to twin the entire #1 from the Alberta border to the Coquihalla, but has there been any plan to twin 93? Seems like it would be a lot easier, no blasting like they need to do in several parts of the #1 (except for that one lookout corner), and no worrying about buying up land to have enough room. With the amount of traffic between Calgary and Invermere that highway badly needs to be improved

[zuluking]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

if we both left for a 300 km drive and you drove @125 km/h you'd arrive in 2.5 hrs approximate

If I drove 95 km'h I'd arrive in 3.15 hrs. I have found very few things that I need to be there 45 minutes "faster" I just leave earlier

Especially with your kids in the car

Typically that's why getting there 45 min earlier is worth it. I'd rather speed than get distracted by all the shat going on back there as the hours tick by!

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

On a side note related to Hwy 93, I know BC has this big plan to twin the entire #1 from the Alberta border to the Coquihalla, but has there been any plan to twin 93? Seems like it would be a lot easier, no blasting like they need to do in several parts of the #1 (except for that one lookout corner), and no worrying about buying up land to have enough room. With the amount of traffic between Calgary and Invermere that highway badly needs to be improved

I agree, however the environmentalists will go nuts the second it is proposed.

Drop the bomb on that drum circle before it can get going.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

On a side note related to Hwy 93, I know BC has this big plan to twin the entire #1 from the Alberta border to the Coquihalla, but has there been any plan to twin 93? Seems like it would be a lot easier, no blasting like they need to do in several parts of the #1 (except for that one lookout corner), and no worrying about buying up land to have enough room. With the amount of traffic between Calgary and Invermere that highway badly needs to be improved

I read the website on the planned #1 twinning, it's going to take years before we ever see the finished product. It should have been one of those economic action plan projects during the recession.

[woob]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

On a side note related to Hwy 93, I know BC has this big plan to twin the entire #1 from the Alberta border to the Coquihalla, but has there been any plan to twin 93? Seems like it would be a lot easier, no blasting like they need to do in several parts of the #1 (except for that one lookout corner), and no worrying about buying up land to have enough room. With the amount of traffic between Calgary and Invermere that highway badly needs to be improved

Highly doubtful. They're putting in wildlife crossings and fence on either side of the road right now 30km north of Radium. I was surprised to see them spending that amount of time/money. That'll help with the late evening deer incidents, but not the yahoos in their BMWs and SUVs.

[Mazrim]

The website about the Trans Canada Twinning in BC is www.bchwy1.ca. You'll notice that it's not showing any detail on how they plan to finish the entire provincial stretch of highway 1, so it's a very, very long way away from being done. Plus it requires Parks Canada and Federal Government to really step and do their portion.

Originally Posted by Ice_Weasel

So 30 km over the legal limit makes you a better person than some of the 'idiots' out there, but 40km over would be embarassing. The view must be nice from inside your glass house.

Never said I was being a perfect driver. I was just saying that you didn't need to put your car at risk of being impounded just to pass any cars in BC. I'm well aware at that even at 15 over the limit to pass someone, you're speeding and could be pulled over. Therefore, I was speeding about once every 10 minutes or so. The difference between me and those idiots doing 40 over is that I wouldn't lose my car for doing it.

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

Yes I see what you are saying, but in this case they were either doing 40 km/h or over, or they were not, it's fairly black and white on if they were going over or not, not really a case of: are you innocent of going over 40 when you were going over 40?

I was in a car once and the cop luckily didn't slap on the excessive speeding for the driver, got him on the no 'N' displayed ($100 no demerits) and the highest ticket that wasn't the excessive speeding. Now he was just at the 40km/h over speed limit.

But it's a fairly black and white law, you are either speeding more than 40km/h or you are not. The law says that if you are, your car is impounded. The officers are just following the law, they are not personally deciding to take your car away at random, they aren't the jury or judge, they are just simply following the law.

And as I said earlier: good, I want them off the road, no need to have reckless drivers on the road, there are speed limits for a reason, and doing excessive speeding like that is completely not necessary or safe no matter what you think.

Of course speeding and speed limits are black and white, that's why it's considered a regulatory offense (aka quasi-criminal law); either you do it or don't. The point is that section 11(d) guarantees us the right to the presumption of innocence, regardless of how blatant or obvious the offense. Getting a simple ticket for speeding doesn't violate this principle, you can still contest the ticket if you wish. However, if your vehicle is impounded, the punishment is more or less being handed out before your guilt is proven. Furthermore, most people cannot afford to let their vehicle sit in an impound lot for the length of time it could take for your trial to be heard (My wife took 19 months to have her trial heard in BC).

As for speeding 40km/h over the limit always being dangerous, I think it depends on circumstances (such as the road and its conditions, vehicle being driven, driver's skill, etc.). For example, on the Coquihalla, it is very safe, with the right combinations listed above, to drive 40km/h above the limit (150km/h), but doing 40 above through kicking horse pass (the old twisty section at 120) would be insane to do.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Cuz

Of course speeding and speed limits are black and white, that's why it's considered a regulatory offense (aka quasi-criminal law); either you do it or don't. The point is that section 11(d) guarantees us the right to the presumption of innocence, regardless of how blatant or obvious the offense. Getting a simple ticket for speeding doesn't violate this principle, you can still contest the ticket if you wish. However, if your vehicle is impounded, the punishment is more or less being handed out before your guilt is proven. Furthermore, most people cannot afford to let their vehicle sit in an impound lot for the length of time it could take for your trial to be heard (My wife took 19 months to have her trial heard in BC).

As for speeding 40km/h over the limit always being dangerous, I think it depends on circumstances (such as the road and its conditions, vehicle being driven, driver's skill, etc.). For example, on the Coquihalla, it is very safe, with the right combinations listed above, to drive 40km/h above the limit (150km/h), but doing 40 above through kicking horse pass (the old twisty section at 120) would be insane to do.

Road conditions are how far you can see are big factors. HWY 22 south of longview has some stretches where you can see clearly 5-8 km down the road. There's also no driveways or anything where someone could all of a sudden pull out. 40+ km/h over the limit would still be quite safe in those places.

Speeding doesn't necessarily mean a pass is unsafe. Not speeding doesn't necessarily mean a pass IS safe. There are many other factors in play. Is 141km/h in a 80 zone excessive? Sure, but I don't like black and white laws like "your car will be impounded for going 40 over the limit." There should always be room for judgement by the officer.

[Cuz]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Road conditions are how far you can see are big factors. HWY 22 south of longview has some stretches where you can see clearly 5-8 km down the road. There's also no driveways or anything where someone could all of a sudden pull out. 40+ km/h over the limit would still be quite safe in those places.

Speeding doesn't necessarily mean a pass is unsafe. Not speeding doesn't necessarily mean a pass IS safe. There are many other factors in play. Is 141km/h in a 80 zone excessive? Sure, but I don't like black and white laws like "your car will be impounded for going 40 over the limit." There should always be room for judgement by the officer.

I completely agree, officers shouls excersise judgement, especially in cases where someone is passing another vehicle safely. I have less sympathy for those who are just barrelling along speeding excessively.

[troutman]

Last time I drove in Washington State, there were signs on the highway that forced you to pull over if you had more than 5 cars behind you.

[sun]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

The highway system and speed limits in BC are a joke.

Yep, it's mind boggling sometimes.