Speeding is only cool in the movies

Tips to stay safe

To help prevent a crash when driving in poor weather, increase your following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to at least four seconds.

Slow down on uneven, wet, icy or snowy roads:

Behind other vehicles, allow at least two seconds’ following distance in good weather and road conditions (three seconds on a highway).

Don’t speed up as someone is trying to pass you — it’s illegal:

Be realistic about your travel time. If you’re running late, accept the delay. Better late than never.

The faster you go, the longer it takes to stop:

At 30 km/h, it takes 18 metres to come to a full stop.

At 80, it takes 76 metres. And at 110, it takes 126 metres.

The faster you go, the more you pay

Driver risk premium:

If you have one or more excessive speeding tickets, you pay a driver risk premium (DRP). It’s based on convictions over a three-year period, and includes any offences that occur on or after Jan. 1, 2008. And you’ll pay the DRP on top of your cost of insurance.

Fines:

If you’re caught speeding up to 20 km/h over the limit in your community or on a highway, the fine is $138. If you’re caught doing more than 60 km/h, the fine is $483. In a school, playground or construction zone, if you’re caught going up to 20 km/h over the speed limit, the fine is $196. And if you’re caught going more than 60 km/h, you’ll pay $483.

Vehicle impoundment:

Besides the violation ticket fine and driver risk premium, police can immediately impound your vehicle for seven days for those travelling 40 km or more over the posted speed limit. This could escalate to 30 or 60 days for repeat offenders.

The owner is then required to pay the vehicle towing and storage fees to get their vehicle back.

Courtesy of ICBC