A Gatineau octogenarian in hurry avoided about $40 in fines and fees Monday when he promised to never again try to travel along busy Highway 5 in his electric tricycle to get to the Lac Leamy casino.



Sûreté du Québec officers tracked down the scofflaw near the Saint-Laurent Boulevard exit Monday afternoon after a number of motorists reported the unusual vehicle buzzing along the shoulder of the highway.



He and his trike were taken to the nearest crossing — which happened to be the casino access street — where he was spared the $15 plus numerous costs by promising not to repeat the stunt.



“We had a chat with the gentleman, he wasn’t incapacitated” or texting while travelling, an SQ officer said Tuesday.



The SQ, which patrols the highways, says that it wasn’t the first time they’ve spotted unusual vehicles along Highway 5, although they are rare on the much-busier Highway 50 autoroute.



The speed limit on is 70 km/h on Highway 5 near the casino, increasing to 100 km/h after the Saint-Raymond exit, heading north.