Traffic enforcement will be beefed up around B.C. this weekend and throughout the summer, particularly on busy highways. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Increased enforcement

Increased police presence on roads with driving season upon us

May 17, 2024 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — RCMP hope awareness messaging will help combat the many accidents which will occur this long weekend due to poor driving.

BC RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Brett Urano said additional officers are assigned to highways across the province this time of year, noting Victoria Day long weekend marks the unofficial kick-off to the summer driving season.

“Our officers, particularly this weekend for May long weekend, will be out in force looking for impaired drivers, distracted drivers and those driving aggressively and dangerously.”

May long weekend sees a substantial increase in crashes annually across B.C., with ICBC data showing an average of three people killed and 455 others injured in nearly 1,700 collisions.

On Vancouver Island, an average of 260 crashes occur this weekend, with around of 61 people suffering injuries.

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High risk drivers is a specific focus of RCMP BC Highway Patrol personnel throughout May, with a particular focus during this long weekend.

Urano said police often encounter overly excited/frustrated motorists going too fast during the summer driving season.

“As the road and weather improves people seem to driver faster, whereas in the winter people often slow down due to the changing road conditions at any time,” Urano said.

He noted detachments across the province tend to see an uptick of impaired drivers this time of year.

In addition to watching for excessive speeders, impaired/distracted motorists, Cpl. Urano said police will be checking for unlicensed, uninsured and prohibited drivers.

“We target those high risk drivers as well,” he said.

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