(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-04 09:52

OTTAWA -- An 85-year-old Canadian man allegedly caught driving at 161 kms per hour has been charged under Ontario's street racing law.

Ontario provincial police caught the man speeding early Wednesday on Highway 407 north of Toronto, where the speed limit is 100 kms per hour, local media reported Thursday. He is the oldest person ever to be charged under the legislation.

Under the provincial legislation, drivers caught speeding in excess of 50 kms per hour over the limit can have their vehicle impounded for one week and be fined at least 2,000 Canadian dollars (about 2,000 US dollars). Police can also suspend the speeder's license for a week.

Police statistics show about 2,300 drivers across Ontario have been charged under the legislation since it was enacted September 20, 2007. While the average age of offenders is 30, officers have also charged two 75-year-olds under the law. And 83.9 percent of the drivers charged have been male.