A 17-year-old from Ingersoll accused of driving 176 kilometres an hour on Highway 401 not only put their own life at risk, but the lives of everyone else on the road, according to Middlesex OPP.
An officer on general patrol clocked an SUV traveling in the eastbound lanes of the highway at Dorchester Road in Thames Centre at 176 kilometres an hour around 11:15 p.m. on Monday. The posted speed limit along that area of the highway is 100 kilometres an hour.
The vehicle was stopped without incident.
The driver, a 17-year-old from Ingersoll, has been charged with stunt driving - excessive speed, careless driving, driving without a valid license plate sticker, and failure to surrender licence. The teen's licence has also been suspended for 30 days and the vehicle has been impounded for 14 days.
"Driving at excessive speeds like these put not only the driver at risk, but everyone else on the highway as well," said Constable Jeff Hare. "A collision at these speeds is often catastrophic and usually leads to death. There is no need for speeds like this on our highways and roadways."
Hare also applauded the "alert officer" who stopped the vehicle, noting it likely prevented a collision.
