Image: BC Highway Patrol
Abbotsford novice driver caught

Abbotsford teen, a class 7 driver, learns how to lose your license at nearly 180 km/h on Hwy. 1 in the rain

Oct 28, 2025 | 9:04 AM

ABBOTSFORD — An Abbotsford teen had plenty of explaining to do after he was caught by the BC Highway Patrol for speeding at nearly 180 km/h in a 100 km/h zone – in the rain no less – on Highway 1 in Abbotsford last week.

BC Highway Patrol Corporal Michael McLaughlin says police spotted a grey Honda sedan blazing past other vehicles at a high rate of speed on Sunday morning, Oct. 19 at 7:45 a.m., near Clearbrook Road in Abbotsford. The officer’s laser reader indicated a speed of 178 km/h.

The BC Highway Patrol officer found out that the class 7 novice driver had only received his licence in January 2025. He also had two passengers who were not his family members. The teen was served the following:

  • Excessive speed (over 60 km/h above the limit), section 148(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) for a fine of $483;
  • Drive contrary to driver’s licence restrictions (too many passengers), section 25(15) of the BC MVA ($109);
  • Fail to display “N” sign, section 30.10(4) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (MVAR) for a fine of $109;
  • A seven day impound at the registered owner’s expense (his father);
  • At least three years of high-risk driver premiums (for the driver) and extra insurance premiums (for the driver and his father).

As a novice driver, the Abbotsford teen will likely be subject to a suspension of his licence by the B.C. Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.

“This young driver will remember the expensive and uncomfortable consequences of his first traffic stop for a long time,” says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “But considering the wet roads and high speed, he and his passengers could have ended much worse.”

The Abbotsford teen got a ride home from his mother, Cpl. McLaughlin said.