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‘Don’t be a stat’: RCMP urge caution, patience on highways over long weekend

Aug 4, 2017 | 11:23 AM

NANAIMO — Whether it’s the Nanoose flats or Hwy. 4 around Cameron Lake, you can pretty much count on an accident causing headaches on Vancouver Island roads this long weekend.

Insurance Corporation of BC stats showed on average hundreds of people are hurt in thousands of crashes over the B.C. Day long weekend.

Sgt. Darrin Ramey with the RCMP’s Central Island Traffic Services said it’s typically a dangerous combination of factors, including a big increase in the number of boats, trailers and recreational vehicles being towed on island highways.

“Add that to the increased amount of traffic and you will have more injuries on this weekend,” Ramey told NanaimoNewsNOW.

One challenge facing Ramey’s unit is a lack of numbers. He said at one point last week almost half of his members were deployed in Interior cities like Williams Lake helping with the reponse to the wildfire crisis. Despite that, he said long weekend travellers will notice a police presence.

“We’re always looking for distracted driving and seat belts. Those are our two biggest killers really. If you don’t have your seat belt on and you’re looking at your phone, your time is numbered.”

Ramey urged drivers to be patient and mindful of larger vehicles, noting they can’t maneuver as quickly and their sight lines are limited.

On average, more than 85 people are injured in 350 crashes on Vancouver Island every August long weekend, ICBC’s Joanna Linsangan said. “It’s good to be mindful of the fact large trucks, large vehicles, RVs, they do have very large blindspots all around their vehicles. So for your safety it’s really best to stay out of those blindspots,” she said.

Ramey noted the majority of drivers typically handle themselves very well.

 

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi