On the A63 highway, in the heart of vacation travel, the Landes gendarmes did not expect such an explanation. This Thursday, August 6, 2026, their radar clocked a speed of 191 km/h (about 118–119 mph) for a car traveling on a stretch limited to 110 km/h (68 mph) — a massive excess that can quickly turn a simple trip to Spain into a very bad idea.
The driver, at the wheel of a BMW and headed for Spain “for the day,” was intercepted in the morning on this portion of the A63. Facing the authorities, he said he had violently pressed on the accelerator to try to shake off a Tesla that, in his view, was tailgating him too closely, a justification that did not weigh much when applying the Traffic Code.
191 km/h on the A63: a BMW speeding to outrun a Tesla
Positioned on the A63 that morning, the Landes gendarmes were enforcing speeds on this stretch limited to 110 km/h, especially busy in the summer. Their twin radar gun registered a BMW speeding at 191 km/h — an enormous excess that immediately drew their attention and brought the trip to Spain to a halt.
During the stop, the driver explained that he had “strongly accelerated” because a Tesla was following him insistently and closing in on his rear bumper. He stated that he aimed to put distance between them rather than slowing down or changing lanes. No details were provided about possible passengers or the driver’s identity, but the gendarmes focused on one thing: the speed recorded.
A major speeding offense at 191 km/h and an immediate license suspension
Facing such a major speeding offense, the officers promptly enforced the prescribed measures. The driver’s license was immediately suspended, preventing him from resuming driving after the stop, and the BMW was towed to an administrative impound lot while the case progressed.
A judicial proceeding has indeed been launched, with potentially heavy penalties for the motorist. In addition to the on-site seizure, he faces an administrative license suspension to be decided by the authorities and could last several months depending on his record. For an offense of this magnitude, he also risks six demerit points on his license and a fine of up to €1,500 (roughly $1,600), a reminder that even the fear of a car tailing you doesn’t weigh much against highway-speed rules.
