A Squamish taxi driver was caught travelling 53 km/h over the speed limit on the Sea to Sky Highway while carrying a passenger whose own vehicle had just been impounded for excessive speeding, according to a BC Highway Patrol press release.
The incident happened at approximately 11 a.m. on September 7 on Highway 99 near Porteau Cove. In the press release, BC Highway Patrol said a motorcycle officer recorded a white Toyota Corolla travelling at 133 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.
Police said the Corolla was operating as a taxi and had a passenger in the back seat. According to the press release, that passenger had just lost their own vehicle to an excessive-speeding impound.
Police identified the driver as a 65-year-old Squamish resident and issued a $368 ticket for excessive speeding between 41 and 60 km/h over the posted limit. The taxi was also impounded for seven days, with towing and storage costs charged to the owner.
BC Highway Patrol said the driver will face at least three years of high-risk driver premiums and escalating insurance costs, bringing the total financial consequences to more than $2,000. The allegations and circumstances described in this story come from the police press release.
“Professional drivers do not get a pass to disobey the law. They are expected to know better,” Sergeant Michael McLaughlin of BC Highway Patrol said in the release.
McLaughlin also urged passengers to speak up if they feel unsafe.
“Passengers also have every right to politely ask their drivers to obey the law. If you’re not comfortable with a taxi or ride-share driver speeding or driving distracted, say something,” he said.
The taxi was among 21 vehicles impounded for excessive speeding on the Sea to Sky Highway on Labour Day, according to the press release.
