Travelling to British Columbia? Lead-foots beware.

mako88sb · 07-31-13, 03:08 PM

In an effort to reduce fatalities, B.C. instituted a pretty harsh law a few years ago enabling the police forces the right to seize any vehicle on the spot that exceeds the speed limit by 40 kph(24.8 mph). It is then impounded for 7 days. There have been some folks from out of the province and different countries that were unaware of this law so it came as quite a expensive shock for those on vacation to have their vehicles confiscated and have to find alternate ways of getting around plus the fees for a vehicle impounded for 7 days. We made a trip there a last week and the wife noticed quite a few out of province vehicles, some from as far away as Newfoundland, Florida and Maine. Most were in motor homes so you would think they wouldn't be speeding too much. However there were some construction zones along the Trans-Canada highway without workers present. Pretty easy to go over 40 kph not knowing that you can still get nailed even though there's no construction actually going on or workers present. Anyway, just thought I'd post this in case anybody here is planning a trip there.

Betonov · 07-31-13, 03:46 PM

40 kph is lead foot

Then what's mine, red giant star foot

Wolferz · 07-31-13, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betonov

40 kph is lead foot

Then what's mine, red giant star foot

That's the ticket. Blame it on solar gravity.

August · 07-31-13, 06:05 PM

I suppose they don't let you camp out at the impound lot until your rig gets sprung.

After all an impound lot in BC probably has a better scenery than a National Park in New Jersey.

mako88sb · 08-01-13, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betonov

40 kph is lead foot

Then what's mine, red giant star foot

Yes it seems like a pretty harsh penalty for 40 kph and your found guilty without a trial. I heard they are talking about bringing the same law to Alberta where I live. Just wondering if there is a similar penalty in other countries?

Jimbuna · 08-01-13, 10:46 AM

What's the cost of getting your vehicle out of the impound?

Sailor Steve · 08-01-13, 10:52 AM

That is quite slow. Is that for everywhere or just special zones?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mako88sb

Just wondering if there is a similar penalty in other countries?

Speeding in construction zones here will result in double the normal fines, but no confiscation that I've ever heard of. I've even known people whose licenses were suspended, but they got to keep their cars. Confiscation here is usually only for specific instances. If you're caught driving drunk they'll take you to jail and impound your car, but that's because you're in no condition to drive it. Cars caught with contraband are also impounded. In fact I'd say that cars are usually taken here only in situations where the driver is also impounded.

Betonov · 08-01-13, 10:58 AM

Awwww bloody hell, I'm an idiot

It's about exceeding the speed limit by 40kph, not going faster than 40kph.

30kph over the limit (50 or 40 kph) in a setlement here is about a €1000 penalty, seisure of vehicle and loss of drivers permit, I believe

A lot worse than in BC.

August · 08-01-13, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

That is quite slow. Is that for everywhere or just special zones?

Speeding in construction zones here will result in double the normal fines, but no confiscation that I've ever heard of. I've even known people whose licenses were suspended, but they got to keep their cars. Confiscation here is usually only for specific instances. If you're caught driving drunk they'll take you to jail and impound your car, but that's because you're in no condition to drive it. Cars caught with contraband are also impounded. In fact I'd say that cars are usually taken here only in situations where the driver is also impounded.

I'll bet this is a lot more about forcing the victims to spend their vacation money locally than it is about controlling speed on the highway. They are tied to their RV so if you immobilize it you immobilize their spending.

Sailor Steve · 08-01-13, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betonov

Awwww bloody hell, I'm an idiot

I listened to you, so it's all your fault.

Of course I have to live with Obi-Wan's dictum: "Who's more foolish - the fool, or the fool who follows him?

Quote:

It's about exceeding the speed limit by 40kph, not going faster than 40kph.

That certainly makes more sense.

Quote:

30kph over the limit (50 or 40 kph) in a setlement here is about a €1000 penalty, seisure of vehicle and loss of drivers permit, I believe

A lot worse than in BC.

I was once caught exceeding a 55 mph speed limit by about 30 mph. The fine, as I recall, was $65. That was in 1987, and I haven't had a ticket since, so I don't know what it would be now.

Penguin · 08-01-13, 11:11 AM

I somehow thought Leadfoot would be Sasquatch's slower cousin.

Here it's >30kph inside the city limits = instant license loss for an amount of time, fine, maybe even redo the driving test.
>30 outside: might lose the license for a couple of months, though not instantly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betonov

Awwww bloody hell, I'm an idiot

I am no authorized to comment on this!

mako88sb · 08-01-13, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

What's the cost of getting your vehicle out of the impound?

Your looking at $50-$100/day depending on vehicle type plus of course the towing fee. 7 days is for the first infraction. Huge bump up to 30 days for your 2nd and 60 days for your 3rd.

mako88sb · 08-01-13, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betonov

Awwww bloody hell, I'm an idiot

It's about exceeding the speed limit by 40kph, not going faster than 40kph.

30kph over the limit (50 or 40 kph) in a setlement here is about a €1000 penalty, seisure of vehicle and loss of drivers permit, I believe

A lot worse than in BC.

Yes that is pretty steep. Seized vehicle! Yikes! How long do you lose your license for?

mako88sb · 08-01-13, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

I'll bet this is a lot more about forcing the victims to spend their vacation money locally than it is about controlling speed on the highway. They are tied to their RV so if you immobilize it you immobilize their spending.

Yes I think it would take quite the combination of a cop being in a lousy mood and the RV driver beaking off too much to get an RV impounded. Still, I was pretty paranoid about exceeding the limit by too much in those unoccupied construction zones. Especially on the way back as the late rental charges would of probably exceeded the impound fees.

Jimbuna · 08-01-13, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mako88sb

Your looking at $50-$100/day depending on vehicle type plus of course the towing fee. 7 days is for the first infraction. Huge bump up to 30 days for your 2nd and 60 days for your 3rd.

Could be quite steep then

07-31-13, 03:08 PM	#1
mako88sb XO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 423 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Travelling to British Columbia? Lead-foots beware. In an effort to reduce fatalities, B.C. instituted a pretty harsh law a few years ago enabling the police forces the right to seize any vehicle on the spot that exceeds the speed limit by 40 kph(24.8 mph). It is then impounded for 7 days. There have been some folks from out of the province and different countries that were unaware of this law so it came as quite a expensive shock for those on vacation to have their vehicles confiscated and have to find alternate ways of getting around plus the fees for a vehicle impounded for 7 days. We made a trip there a last week and the wife noticed quite a few out of province vehicles, some from as far away as Newfoundland, Florida and Maine. Most were in motor homes so you would think they wouldn't be speeding too much. However there were some construction zones along the Trans-Canada highway without workers present. Pretty easy to go over 40 kph not knowing that you can still get nailed even though there's no construction actually going on or workers present. Anyway, just thought I'd post this in case anybody here is planning a trip there.

07-31-13, 06:05 PM	#4
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,227 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I suppose they don't let you camp out at the impound lot until your rig gets sprung. After all an impound lot in BC probably has a better scenery than a National Park in New Jersey. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see. Last edited by August; 08-01-13 at 10:58 AM.

08-01-13, 10:46 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,952 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	What's the cost of getting your vehicle out of the impound? __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

07-31-13, 03:46 PM	#2
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	40 kph is lead foot Then what's mine, red giant star foot

08-01-13, 10:58 AM	#8
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Awwww bloody hell, I'm an idiot It's about exceeding the speed limit by 40kph, not going faster than 40kph. 30kph over the limit (50 or 40 kph) in a setlement here is about a €1000 penalty, seisure of vehicle and loss of drivers permit, I believe A lot worse than in BC.