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- A learner driver was allegedly clocked at 104 mph (168 km/h) in a 75 mph (120 km/h) zone.
- Five family passengers were legal under a British Columbia licensing exemption.
- The excessive speed stop resulted in a seven-day vehicle impound and multiple fines.
We all make mistakes behind the wheel, sometimes more often when we’re just learning. One young driver is now finding out about consequences the hard way, and her family is sharing in the pain. Police in Canada say they clocked her at 104 mph (168 km/h) in a 75 mph (120 km/h) zone, and the stunt ended with her father’s new 2026 Honda Pilot hauled off to an impound lot.
According to the BC Highway Patrol, the incident happened on July 11 along the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) south of Merritt. The driver, a 20-year-old woman from Williams Lake, was operating the SUV with a learner’s licence. Normally, British Columbia learner drivers are limited to carrying a single passenger, but the province makes an exception for immediate family members. Because all five passengers were relatives, police said the vehicle was legally occupied despite carrying six people.
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Officers didn’t say whether or not any of those family members were parents. That didn’t stop officers from questioning the judgment behind the trip.
“This is a reminder to everyone that just because something is technically legal, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea,” said Corporal Michael McLaughlin of BC Highway Patrol. “Learner drivers do not have the demonstrated skills to safely drive a large number of passengers—which is something this driver exemplified when she chose to speed.”
The Price Of A Heavy Foot
Police issued the driver a C$368 ($267) excessive speeding ticket for traveling between 41 and 60 km/h over the posted limit. The new 2026 Honda Pilot was also impounded for seven days, with towing and storage costs added to the bill. Authorities say the driver will also face at least three years of high-risk insurance premiums, bringing the estimated total financial impact to nearly C$2,500 ($1,815).
While the penalties fall on the driver, the impound fee typically becomes the responsibility of the vehicle’s registered owner. In this case, that’s the driver’s father, leaving the family to decide who ultimately pays for the week-long loss of their nearly new SUV. It’s probably not the kind of family discussion anyone wanted to have at the side of Highway 5.
