SURREY, B.C. - Unless you have eyes on top of your head, you will never know when a police helicopter is watching your driving. An 18-year-old Abbotsford driver learned that the expensive way, after the RCMP’s Air 1 helicopter clocked his dad’s Cadillac at 175 km/h on Highway 1 and guided a patrol car to the stop.
On October 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., the RCMP Air 1 helicopter spotted a black Cadillac SUV that appeared to be going much faster than the flow of traffic on Highway 1 eastbound near the Brunette Overpass in Coquitlam. The Tactical Flight Officer in Air 1 recorded a speed of 175 km/h in a 90 zone and immediately engaged BC Highway Patrol over the police radio.
Air 1 followed the Cadillac from above, across the Port Mann Bridge, until a BC Highway Patrol unmarked ghost car pulled it over just west of 200th Street in Surrey.
“Weaving through traffic while more than 80 over the limit is unacceptably dangerous,” said Sergeant Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “We want every driver to see this video and understand that we’re using every tool at our disposal, including helicopters a thousand metres above your head, to keep our roads safer.”
Video: RCMP Air 1 footage of the October 13 Highway 1 stop, released by BC Highway Patrol.
At roadside, the officer learned the black Cadillac SUV belonged to the driver’s dad, and that the same driver had gotten the same vehicle impounded for excessive speeding just one month earlier.
The 18-year-old Novice driver from Abbotsford was issued an excessive speeding ticket under section 148(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act, with a fine of $368. He also faces the cost of a tow and a seven-day impound at his dad’s expense as the registered owner, though ICBC may increase a second excessive speeding impound to 30 days. On top of that come increased high-risk driver premiums for at least three years, pushing the total cost to over $2,500, and a review of his Novice licence status that could result in a suspension.
“Just because you can’t see the police doesn’t mean that we’re not there,” said Sergeant McLaughlin. “RCMP Air Services plays a crucial role in all kinds of police files, and next time you see a helicopter overhead, consider slowing down.”
Source: BC Highway Patrol news release, October 20, 2026.
Advertisements
