Expect police across Vancouver Island to be out in force this long weekend, looking for distracted or impaired drivers. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

drive safe

‘You never know which car you’re passing:’ Island police ramping up long weekend enforcement

Aug 27, 2025 | 5:33 AM

NANAIMO — The final long weekend of the summer season is approaching.

High volumes of traffic on area highways and ferries are expected beginning later this week and extending into Labour Day on Monday, Sept. 1.

BC Highway Patrol Insp. Adam Tallboy said they’ll have officers out patrolling area highways to ensure people get where they need to be safely.

“BC Highway patrol will have extra officers out, ensuring that the roadways are safe for those traveling on them. We’ll be targeting high risk driving, such as speeding, impaired and drinking and driving which are the three leading causes of death and injuries on our roadways and are completely preventable offenses.”

He added their full suite of tools will be deployed including both marked and unmarked vehicles, lasers, radars, speed reader boards and more.

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“You never know which car you’re passing, it could be an unmarked police car, or police could be up ahead waiting for you,” Tallboy added. “I know it can be very frustrating with lots of traffic on the long weekends, getting places is slowed down, but we do want everyone to get there safely.”

Statistics from ICBC show around 2,000 crashes occur on average over the Labour Day long weekend, leading to 570 injuries and between three and five fatalities.

Distracted driving is a main contributing factor behind around 40 per cent of injury-causing crashes.

Impaired driving, by either drugs or alcohol, is also a main focus for police, according to Tallboy.

“Many of our roadway fatalities are completely preventable for drivers making responsible decisions. If there were drivers that don’t make responsible decisions, they could lead to injuring or killing someone, and no one wants that.”

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