Teenager charged for 149 mph driving

Wednesday, 21-May-2008 8:04AM EDT
    
Story from United Press International
Copyright 2008 by United Press International (via ClariNet)

BARRIE, Ontario, May 21 (UPI) -- A teenager clocked by police radar driving 149 mph will face insurance premiums of more than $22,000 if convicted, insurance officials said.

Prior to Canada's Victoria Day weekend, the Ontario Provincial Police inundated the media with warnings they would be on anti-speeding blitz.

However, early Sunday northwest of Toronto, an OPP officer clocked a 2000 Lincoln LLS traveling at 149 mph in a 50 mph zone. The unidentified 17-year-old male driver had four passengers in the car, OPP Constable Mark Kinney told the Toronto Sun.

"This was a tragedy waiting to happen," he said. "Luckily, the police stopped him."

Insurance agent Gary Mowforth told the newspaper basic insurance premiums if the youth is convicted would exceed $22,000 per year, assuming this was a first offense.

"It'll be ridiculous. He'd have to go to a high-risk company," Mowforth told the Sun.