A teen driver with a learner’s license was issued violation tickets totalling about $800 after being caught going more than double the speed limit, according to Oak Bay police.
Police say officers were on patrol on Foul Bay Road near Landsdowne Road at 1:46 p.m. Friday, June 14, when an officer observed a southbound vehicle going “extremely fast.” A laser speed device displayed a speed of 121 km/h in the 50 km/h zone.
The officer pulled over the driver, who was then identified as a 16-year-old male with a class 7 learner’s license, said police in a news release Monday.
Three other occupants were in the vehicle, where police also spotted an open container of cannabis.
According to police, the driver was issued a $483 violation ticket for excessive speed, a $230 ticket for operating a motor vehicle with cannabis inside and a $109 ticket for driving contrary to restrictions (too many passengers). ICBC says a driver with an “L” can have just one passenger plus someone 25 or older with a valid class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 license.
Under the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), excessive speeding is considered driving 40-60 km/h over the posted speed limit. The faster you drive, the higher the fine.
Additionally, the driver would get demerit points on their license, according to ICBC.
Oak Bay police say the vehicle was also towed and impounded for seven days.
Officers spoke with the vehicle’s registered owner, whose son was in the car but not driving. The owner told police they would follow up with their son.
The MVA states, “Owners are responsible for their vehicles … They must pay the towing and storage costs for their impounded vehicle even if they weren’t driving it.”
Last month, Oak Bay police said speeding was a “major problem” in the municipality, especially along Beach Drive, where drivers are often pulled over for exceeding the speed limit.
“Very, very dangerous,” a police sergeant told CHEK News.
READ MORE: Oak Bay driver clocked at 116 km/h in 40 km/h zone: police
Ethan Morneau
