With May long weekend the start of camping season for many, ICBC is reminding motorists to take care and pay attention during your road trips. (Dreamstime)

By Jordan Davidson

safe driving practices

ICBC asking drivers to be mindful and manage your speed this long weekend

May 15, 2025 | 4:15 PM

NANAIMO — May long weekend is the unofficial start to the summer holiday season for some, which means B.C. roadways are expected to see higher volumes of traffic.

ICBC spokesperson Greg Harper said it’s important to be patient on the roads, with a five-year average of around 75 people injured in 317 crashes on Vancouver Island every Victoria Day long weekend.

“These are numbers that mean something. Every number represents a person, someone who has a family, some loved ones. We just really want people to manage their speed this weekend, make sure you’re following distance is adequate. We just want everyone to have a safe, long weekend.”

While Environment Canada is calling for mainly cloudy conditions with plenty of rain in the Nanaimo and Oceanside areas this weekend, warmer, spring weather means motorcycles and more pedestrian cyclists will also be traversing area roads.

Harper said it can be tougher to see someone on a bike compared to a passenger car when you’re driving, which makes the two-wheel riders more vulnerable.

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“When it comes to motorcycle riders, 4% of insured vehicles are motorcycles, yet 14% of all the fatal crashes that happen in our province involve a motorcyclist, so they are vulnerable. They’re not as protected as those who are in a passenger vehicle.”

Harper said to ensure you give yourself lots of time to reach your destination, plan ahead, and be patient when following bigger, slower vehicles like ones towing holiday trailers and other recreational vehicles.

The BC Highway Patrol will be out in full force, as part of their High-Risk Driving and Motorcycle Awareness Month for May, increasing their patrols for impaired, dangerous, and distracted drivers.

— with files from Jon De Roo/97.3 The Eagle

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by Jordan Davidson

ICBC asking drivers to be mindful and manage your speed this long weekend

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