A young driver in Montreal learned a costly lesson on Friday night when he was caught speeding on Highway 40 and faced a hefty fine and a license suspension.
The incident
According to the Quebec provincial police (Sûreté du Québec), the driver was traveling at 180 km/h in a 70 km/h zone on Highway 40 near the Morgan Boulevard exit in Baie-D’Urfé, a suburb of Montreal. The police stopped him around 11 p.m. and issued him a ticket for $2,598, as well as 24 demerit points. His driver’s license was also suspended for seven days on the spot.
The police said the driver was a 20-year-old man from Laval, who had only a probationary license. He was driving a rented car, which was seized and impounded for 30 days.
The consequences
Speeding is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents in Quebec, and the province has strict laws and penalties for drivers who exceed the speed limit. According to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), speeding can lead to:
- demerit points, which can result in a license suspension or revocation
- fines, which can vary depending on the speed, the zone, and the number of offenses
- increased insurance premiums
- criminal charges, in cases of dangerous driving or impaired driving
The SAAQ also warns that speeding reduces the driver’s field of vision, increases the braking distance, increases the risk of skidding out of control, and increases the severity of collisions.
The context
The incident occurred in a section of Highway 40 that is undergoing major roadwork and is expected to be closed until early next year. The eastbound lanes between Morgan Boulevard and Saint-Charles Boulevard are shut down for repaving, and the traffic is diverted to the westbound lanes, which are adapted for two-way traffic at a reduced speed.
The closure has caused congestion and frustration for many drivers in the West Island, who have to deal with detours and delays. The Quebec Transport Ministry has urged drivers to be patient and respectful of the speed limits and the road signs, especially in the road work zones and the school zones, where fines are doubled.
