A 31-year-old Nanaimo man had his BMW towed and seized for a week after dangerously testing out his engine modifications along Hwy. 1 late last month. (BC Highway Patrol)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

unsafe speeds

Nanaimo man caught ‘testing his new fuel injectors’ by going 218 km/h near Airport

May 6, 2025 | 1:03 PM

NANAIMO — An apologetic local man accepted his fine and impound of his vehicle after being caught excessively speeding south of the city.

BC Highway Patrol officers were working the Trans Canada Hwy. near Nanaimo River Rd., on April 25 at around 5 p.m. when a silver BMW flew through the area southbound going 218 kilometres per hour in the 90 kilometre zone.

Cpl. Michael McLaughlin told NanaimoNewsNOW the 31-year-old driver sheepishly admitted what he was doing wasn’t very smart.

“He was actually quite apologetic to us, but what he was saying is that he was testing his new fuel injectors, he wanted to do an engine test. He did admit to our officers that it was ‘a dumb idea’, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that it is very dangerous.”

The man was fined $483 and had his car towed and impounded for a week.

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McLaughlin added he will also face higher insurance rates when he renews with ICBC, as well as some potential personal challenges.

“In this case the gentleman had to call his wife, who you can be assured was none-too-happy to pick him up. Not only are you avoiding the inconvenience of a tow and impound if you don’t speed, you’re also avoiding some marital stress.”

While catching speeding vehicles on area highways is not a new operation for BC Highway Patrol, the reading on the radar certainly took officers by surprise.

McLaughlin said their officers province-wide sees “people doing ridiculous speeds.”

“This is right up there and in terms of 2025, this is number one for Vancouver Island, and we hope it stays that way. We hope people trend towards slower. Give yourself a little extra time., the weather’s nice, if you can relax and get to your destination less stressed, you will feel better, as well as still having your car and no ticket to pay.”

This is the second notable incident of excessive speeding on area roads over recent weeks.

Another 31-year-old Nanaimo man was ticketed for going 210 kilometres per hour along the Nanaimo Parkway, near Mostar Rd. in mid-April, on his way to pickup his child.

May is High-Risk Driving and Motorcycle Awareness Month in B.C.

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