18-year-old driver clocked at 155 km/h charged with flight from police, say P.E.I. RCMP

Police in Prince Edward Island are reminding drivers that the consequences of trying to get out of a speeding ticket aren't worth the potential impacts on someone's life. 

The warning comes with regard to an 18-year-old driver charged with flight from police Monday after officers clocked him going 155 km/h in the Cornwall area, west of Charlottetown. 

The RCMP's traffic services unit was conducting a speed enforcement operation on the Trans-Canada Highway at 6:30 a.m. when the driver sped through, the force said in a news release. 

When the officer turned on the cruiser's emergency lights, the release said, the driver fled at an even higher rate of speed.

The driver was located a short time later on Route 2, where officers were able to successfully stop the vehicle. 

RCMP said the driver, a Stage 3 graduated licence holder, was arrested at the scene. He was given a fine of $750 and his vehicle, which was unregistered, was impounded. 

Take the ticket, police say

Cpl. Gavin Moore, the media relations officer for the P.E.I. RCMP, said it's important to realize that a charge of flight from police is a serious offence that requires the accused to go to court.

He said pulling over for police and getting a speeding ticket is much safer for everyone involved, and the consequences aren't as serious.

"This is a very high speed and it poses a danger, not only for that driver, but for all motorists who are in their presence… as well as police in their response," Moore said. 

"An arrest for flight from police is a criminal offence. This is something that… can have effects for your employment throughout your coming years." 

The driver has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on July 28 to answer to the charge.