Driver ticketed near Merritt after BC Highway Patrol confirms test-driven vehicle can hit at least 172 km/h

MERRITT, B.C. — Police are reminding motorists there’s no reason to travel 60 kilometres-per-hour over the posted speed limit – even if you are testing out a car you’re considering purchasing.

That situation played out near Merritt earlier this month.

In a news release issued Monday (July 27), BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) says an officer clocked a grey Toyota sedan travelling at 172 km/h in a 110 km/h zone along Highway 97C east of Merritt on July 17.

“The driver told police he and his girlfriend were on an overnight test-drive from Vancouver to Kelowna,” said BCHP Sgt. Michael McLaughlin. “The vehicle successfully demonstrated that it can speed and that it fits on the back of a tow truck.”