Fast and furious North OK

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Warning after warning after warning does little to stop people from driving too fast and it’s a continual problem for North Okanagan RCMP.

North Okanagan Traffic services says last year they stopped 25 drivers for excessive speeding while this year in comparison they have already stopped 16 drivers and impounded numerous vehicles.

“Individuals in a hurry to get someplace are not paying attention to what the speed limit is,” said RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk. “And it costs people big.”

Molendyk says a driver caught excessive speeding can be on the hook for a lot of cash.

“You have the impound for at least a week, the cost of the tow, a ticket with a fine ($300 to $500) and it could affect your insurance rates so at the end of the day it could be a couple thousand dollars depending on all the circumstances.”

While it's unclear exactly how many of those caught with a heavy foot are out-of-towners, Molednyk says they do catch a lot of out-of-province license plates and rental cars under the excessive speed category.

In the last week RCMP in the North Okanagan have issued three 24-hour roadside prohibitions, one 3-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition, four 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions and impounded 10 vehicles for speeding and impaired driving charges.