News release

One week, 60 impounds. Excessive speeding and impairment spikes on the Sea to Sky

September 9, 2025 - Squamish, British Columbia
From: BC Highway Patrol

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Even after BC Highway Patrol’s repeated warnings about enhanced enforcement on Highway #99, more than 60 vehicles were impounded for speed and impairment in the last week of August 2025. Thirty-one of those impounds happened over Labour Day Weekend.

“There are still too many people driving unimaginably fast or impaired on the Sea to Sky,” says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “And while it’s hard to believe, we keep catching people doing both at the same time.”

On August 27, a BC Highway Patrol motorcycle clocked a blue pickup going 132 km/h in an 80 zone near Porteau Cove. The driver, a 29-year-old Vancouver man, was given a breath demand for alcohol impairment and blew two “warns” resulting in:

• A 3-day driving suspension;
• An excessive speeding ticket under section 148(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) for a fine of $368;
• A 7-day vehicle impound at his expense;
• At least three years of high-risk driving premiums that will push the total cost of fines and fees to almost $2,500.

On August 31, a black Harley Davidson was clocked going 110 km/h in a 60 zone at Lions Bay. The rider, a 61-year-old North Vancouver man, was given a breath demand that led to two “fail” readings. He received:

• A 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (thus losing his driver’s licence);
• A 30-day impound for the motorcycle;
• A ticket for excessive speeding under section 148(1) of the BC MVA ($368);
• A ticket for unnecessary noise for his after-market muffler, section 7A.01 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations ($109);
• At least three years of high-risk driving premiums that will push the total cost of fines and fees to over $2,500.

“Traffic patterns and volumes are shifting with back to school, and weather and darkness are bigger factors every day,” says Corporal McLaughlin. “We’re encouraging you to slow down and plan for more time on the road. It shouldn’t need to be said, but you also need to stay sober.”

Contacts