Police in B.C. say empty highways because of COVID-19 is not a reason for people to be speeding if they need to be on the road.

BC RCMP Traffic spokesperson Cpl. Mike Halskov says two vehicles were pulled over on March 27 for doing 160 km/hr in a 90 km/hr zone between Vernon and Kelowna.

“The officers discovered that one of the vehicles was just purchased at a Kelowna dealership and was in the process of being transported by a staff member to a Vernon dealership to a waiting customer,” he told NL News.

“There’s not as much traffic on the roadways, but we are still out there, and we’ll impound your car if you are found to be driving at excessive speeds.”

Excessive speeding is defined as driving at a speed greater than 40 km/hr over the posted speed limit. Drivers found driving 40 km/hr over the limit will be fined $368, while drivers doing 60 km/hr over the limit will be fined $483. In both cases, the fines come with three penalty points on a person’s driving record.

Vehicles will also be impounded for seven days if its the first offence, 30-days for a second offence, and 60-days for any subsequent speeding offence within two years.

Halskov says speed limits are there for a reason, and he’s asking all drivers to follow the rules of the road.

“COVID-19 is not an excuse to just drive at whatever speed you want,” Halskov added. “We ask that people obey the speed limits and wear your seat belts and drive sober and distraction free, as you would any other time.”

“The laws are still in effect.”