More drivers than ever before made the decision to drive while impaired during the Sunfest Country Music Festival in Lake Cowichan over the August long weekend, prompting a record number of driving suspensions from BC Highway Patrol. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

poor choices

‘Totally unacceptable:’ BCHP handles record number of Sunfest-linked impaired drivers

Aug 7, 2026 | 11:27 AM

NANAIMO — BC Highway Patrol is vowing to clamp down on impaired drivers after a disappointing number of music festival goers continue to make poor driving choices.

Thirty-six drivers were handed some form of suspension of their driving privileges during traffic stops from BC Highway Patrol officers during the Sunfest Country Music Festival in Lake Cowichan, running July 30 through Aug. 2.

Sgt. Michael McLaughlin said officers were stationed along key access routes to the festival and saw a “totally unacceptable” number of people driving impaired.

“Police are going to use a variety of tactics when we look at these big events. Obviously, there are certain routes that people have to take in and out of the festivals, and that’s where we’re going to be. You know we’re going to be there, so plan ahead, make sure you’re sober when you’re driving. The idea is to keep the event safe and fun and avoid tragic consequences, which we see far too often.”

Nineteen drivers were issued a 72-hour immediate roadside prohibition for registering a ‘warn’ on a roadside screening device for alcohol consumption.

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Another nine lost their license for 90 days for registering a ‘fail’ on the device.

Another six 24-hour suspensions were issued, mostly to those impaired by drugs while behind the wheel, while two learner or novice drivers received a 12-hour ban due to having any level of drugs or alcohol in their system.

The 36 drivers caught during this year’s festival set a new record high for officers, beating 2024’s 24 impaired driving offences.

Eleven prohibitions were issued last year.

McLaughlin said 153 tickets were also issued under the motor vehicle act for a myriad of offences, including speeding, failing to yield, having an unroadworthy vehicle, or violating the conditions of a driver’s license.

Enforcement by BC Highway Patrol is expected to continue through the rest of the summer months, including the use of Mandatory Alcohol Screening on area highways.

“Some people still aren’t aware that we do not require suspicion,” McLaughlin told NanaimoNewsNOW. “If you’re driving, we can demand a breath sample simply because you’re behind the wheel, and that’s a good way to make sure our roads are safer.”

Officer in Charge of BC Highway Patrol, Insp. Adam Tallboy said the numbers collected from this year’s festival show “outrageously poor decision-making” and they’ll “use whatever legal tools we have to improve this situation.”

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by Alex Rawnsley

‘Totally unacceptable:’ BCHP handles record number of Sunfest-linked impaired drivers

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