B.C. driver caught speeding in car ‘held together with duct tape and wishful thinking’: police

The early model Acura featured makeshift modifications, including rebar and duct tape in place of a rear window, and a welded gate latch to secure the driver-side door. (Handout)

Police in British Columbia say a 22-year-old driver was pulled off the road after he was caught speeding in a vehicle that was “held together with duct tape and wishful thinking.”

The early model Acura featured makeshift modifications, including rebar and duct tape in place of a rear window, and a welded gate latch to secure the driver-side door.

“It looked like it had been chewed up by Robosaurus,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin of the B.C. Highway Patrol in a statement Tuesday, referring to the fire-breathing, car-crushing machine that entertains crowds at monster truck events.

Police say the driver was stopped on Highway 3 near Christina Lake after the vehicle was clocked travelling 130 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.

“It’s amazing that this particular car could go that fast without disintegrating,” McLaughlin said. “The owner had put in some effort to hammer out the dents and spray paint the repairs, but his car was not roadworthy.”

Police ordered the vehicle removed from the road pending completion of a long list of repairs.

The driver, a Kelowna resident, was issued a ticket for excessive speeding and was ordered to fix all mechanical defects before having the vehicle inspected.

The driver was also billed for a tow truck and seven days of impoundment fees, and will pay higher premiums on his insurance for three years as a result of the excessive-speed ticket, police said.

“Any time you modify an essential component of your vehicle, including door locks, windows, steering, brakes, or suspension, you need to get that vehicle inspected,” McLaughlin said.

“If you’re driving in a vehicle that’s obviously not roadworthy, you probably shouldn’t speed,” he added. “Police can’t ignore that.”