Driver caught going 60 km/h over speed limit, police say

Authorities are warning Metro Vancouver drivers to slow down on icy roads after a driver operating a rental vehicle was caught speeding nearly 60 km/h over the limit in West Vancouver.

West Van police said on social media Tuesday that the Car2Go vehicle was impounded. Police allege the 19-year-old driver was driving 149 km/h shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Monday on the Upper Levels Highway.

Const. Jeff Palmer said the speed-enforcement officer was concerned because the temperature was below freezing and there was the potential for black ice on the highway.

Police warn that freezing temperatures, black ice and excessive speed are a recipe for disaster and are asking drivers to slow down.

The warning came as the region prepared for another possible blast of winter weather Tuesday.

Environment Canada had posted a special weather statement for Metro, the Fraser Valley and the Sunshine Coast, saying icy rain or wet snow was possible in the afternoon.

A snowfall warning was in effect for the Sea to Sky Highway, where up to 20 centimetres of snow was expected Tuesday.

Palmer said there was no indication the driver was impaired, though he is facing fines. The penalty for excessive speed is $368.

Tim Krebs, communications director for Car2Go Vancouver, said when one of their vehicles is impounded for a violation such as speeding excessively, the driver is charged for the impound fees, including towing and storage, as well as a loss of use fee, which depends on the number of days the car was out of commission.

He said the person’s membership is also terminated.

“Although the vast majority of Car2Go members use the service responsibly, those who do not are held responsible,” he said in an email.

Last spring, a 21-year-old University of B.C. student was killed after the Car2Go vehicle she was operating went out of control, veered off the road and smashed into several nearby trees. Police believe that speed was a factor in that crash.