Repeat speeder watched by police gets his car impounded near Salmo

May 19, 2026 - Salmo, British Columbia
From: BC Highway Patrol

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A speeding habit can add up to losing your vehicle, especially when you are indulging your habit in front of an off-duty police officer.

On May 14, 2026, just before 6:30 a.m., an on-duty BC Highway Patrol officer stopped a blue hatchback for excessive speeding on Highway #3 near Salmo. A radar reading clocked the vehicle at 148 km/h in a 100 zone. That same vehicle had been observed speeding in that same area, at that same time, over multiple days, by an off-duty police officer.

“BC Highway Patrol uses statistics, data from partner agencies, and reports from the public to develop enforcement intelligence about high-risk driving, but sometimes our eyeballs will do the trick,” says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “Even when we’re off duty, we still care about public safety. This speeding vehicle could not be ignored.”

The driver of the blue hatchback, a 31-year-old Nelson man, was issued the following:

• Excessive speed (from 41 to 60 km/h over the limit), section 148(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), for a fine of $368,
• Illegal window tint, section 7.05(8) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (BC MVAR) for a fine of $109,
• A Notice and Order to fix the window tint and for having no front licence plate displayed,
• The cost of a tow truck and a seven-day impound (at the owner’s expense),
• At least three years of high-risk driver premiums that will bring the total costs to over $2,500.

The driver of the blue hatchback was escorted away from the scene (at a greatly reduced speed) in the passenger seat of the tow truck.

May is the High-Risk Driving Campaign, and throughout the province, police officers are being extra-watchful for high-risk behaviours including distracted driving, impaired driving, and excessive speeding.

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