A 22-year-old Kelowna man lost his vehicle after being pulled over for excessive speeding earlier this month.
According to the BC Highway Patrol (BCHP), the Acura was clocked going 130 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on Hwy 3 near Christina Lake. It happened on Jan. 9.
While the speed was enough to get the car impounded for seven days, the man also received a Notice and Order requiring the vehicle’s removal from the road until it could pass an inspection.
“It’s amazing that this particular car could go that fast without disintegrating,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, who noted that the repairs were as creative as they were illegal.
“The owner had put in some effort to hammer out the dents and spray paint the repairs, but his car was not roadworthy. It looked like it had been chewed up by Robosaurus.”
A BCHP release said a “long list of repairs” were needed, but specifically highlighted that the driver’s door could not stay closed and was held shut by a welded gate latch you’d typically find on a fence. The missing rear window was replaced with rebar and duct tape.
“Any time you modify an essential component of your vehicle including door locks, windows, steering, brakes, or suspension, you need to get that vehicle inspected,” McLaughlin explained.
“And if you’re driving in a vehicle that’s obviously not roadworthy, you probably shouldn't speed. Police can’t ignore that.”
The Kelowna man received a $368 fine and will also need to pay towing, impound and repair costs before getting his car inspected and back on the road.
