Gendarmes stop high-speed driver

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, gendarmes stopped a yellow BMW M3 traveling at 169 km/h on the D820 in Montpezat-de-Quercy, a road with an 80 km/h speed limit. The driver, a 25-year-old man from Tarn-et-Garonne, was caught during a traffic control operation targeting major speeding violations.

Operation targets dangerous speeding

The operation took place between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and used discreetly positioned radars, motorcyclists in ambush, and patrols to monitor the area. The D820 is known as an accident-prone route, and the operation aimed to secure the area by focusing on dangerous speeding during peak traffic hours.

Multiple drivers caught speeding

During the four-hour operation, 21 drivers were recorded driving between 20 and 40 km/h over the speed limit, with six drivers caught driving between 40 and 50 km/h over the limit. These drivers faced administrative suspensions of their licenses ranging from four to six months.

BMW driver faces severe penalties

The BMW M3 driver was caught speeding at 169 km/h, more than double the speed limit. His license was immediately retained, and the prefecture set an administrative suspension of six months. The vehicle was found to have bald tires, an aggravating factor that increases the risk at such a high speed.

Legal consequences and risks highlighted

For speeding exceeding 50 km/h, the legislation classifies the offense as a major speeding violation, with potential penalties including a fine of up to 3,750 euros, a license suspension of up to three years, possible vehicle confiscation, a criminal record, and additional consequences such as medical examinations, psychological tests, and insurance implications. On a road like the D820, already classified as accident-prone, the combination of a very high speed and worn tires highlights the risks associated with such violations.