Expect a heavier police presence on the roads through May with officers looking for high-risk driving behaviour. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Nathan Maley

Dangerous Driving

More road checks coming across Vancouver Island: BC Highway Patrol

May 2, 2024 | 3:29 PM

NANAIMO — The month of May is high-risk driving month according to the RCMP, and Vancouver Island drivers are being reminded to be safe when they’re behind the wheel.

BC Highway Patrol will be looking to crack down on excessive speeding, as well as distracted and impaired driving.

Sgt. Adam Tallboy is warning drivers about what might happen if they are pulled over.

“Over 40 kilometres an hour and the fines range between $368 to $483 and can result in an impoundment for seven days of your vehicle.”

Fines and vehicle seizures depend on how fast a driver is going, and if they have a history of similar driving infractions.

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A driver’s opportunity to react to a potential collision decreases as their speed increases creating a dangerous situation for them and the general public.

Tallboy said despite impaired driving enforcement occurring year-round their patrols are stepped up a notch in May.

“May 18 is the National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day, so you’ll see increased road checks on the roadway that day as well to target some high-risk driving behaviour.”

The BC Highway Patrol will be out on all highways doing enforcement in numerous locations across the Island, cracking down on dangerous drivers.

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— with files from Jon De Roo/97.3 The Eagle

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