As summer traffic congestion builds across B.C., so does the risk.
ICBC says the province sees more than 60 speed-related collisions causing injury or death each month during the summer. Meanwhile, impaired-driving crashes causing injury or death increase by 27 per cent in the summer.
Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with the BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) says traffic especially picks up on the highways.
“We have a lot more volume, and at the same time, we have people driving very quickly and doing dangerous behaviours. This is not a good combination. We’re asking people to slow down and be more careful and get home safely,” McLaughlin told OMNI News.
Bob Rorison, a volunteer with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, says there are always alternatives to driving if you’ve had something to drink.
“Don’t take your car home. Use a ride-share. Use public transit. Take someone with you that doesn’t drink. Many people don’t drink, so take them as your designated driver. If you find yourself in a situation where you got your car and you’re there, phone somebody. Get a lift, call an Uber, take a bus. All of those things will create a happy, fun, responsible summer where we have no tragedies, no death, no injuries,” said Rorison.
“Believe me, the extra fees are nothing, nothing in comparison to driving your car impaired and getting in a crash, injuring or killing yourself or a family member or somebody else on the road. Small fees for parking, small fees for taking a taxi, for using your ride-share are small, so infinite, in comparison to the tragedy that occurs from impaired driving.”
McLaughlin says impairment is one of three major factors in fatalities on the road in B.C., along with distracted driving and excessive speeding.
“All of those come with stiff penalties and fines, and in some cases, criminal charges. And when you’re dealing with BC Highway Patrol, you are going to face some serious financial consequences, and you’re probably going to get your vehicle impounded if you’re driving dangerously.”
The BCHP says it stopped a BMW driver tearing down the Sea to Sky Highway at more than double the speed limit in a 80-kilometres-per-hour zone last week.
A 21-year-old driver from Burnaby was fined $483 for excessive speed, had his BMW impounded for a week, and must cover the cost of a tow truck, the impound fee, and insurance penalties.
“Even last weekend, we had an issue with between 12 and 15 fatalities on B.C. roads in one weekend. That’s way too many. That’s way too much tragedy. So it is happening right now, folks. We need to slow down, be a little more aware of dangerous driving behaviors and curb them so that we all stay safer,” McLaughlin added.
—With files from OMNI News
