Police will be conducting a province-wide enforcement blitz as drivers hit the road this Victoria Day long weekend.
The increase in enforcement is part of a month-long campaign being run by the government, police and ICBC with a focus on speeding.
In 2017, 540 people were injured in 2,300 crashes in B.C. over the May long weekend.
READ ALSO: Drugs, alcohol and lack of seatbelts top reasons for fatal car crashes: B.C. coroner
In a recent survey conducted by Ipsos for ICBC, almost three-quarters of respondents said they have been concerned for their safety as a passenger in a vehicle they considered to be speeding.
As drivers, 46 per cent said their top concern of possible consequences from speeding was injuring a passenger.
ICBC, police and Speed Watch volunteers are also urging drivers to slow down and speak up if you feel uncomfortable as a passenger.
Speed is the number one cause of car crash fatalities in B.C., according to ICBC, with 82 people killed in speed-related crashes each year.
Speeding is also a concern for road users besides drivers.
ICBC says 90 per cent of pedestrians would survive if hit by a passenger vehicle driving at 40 km/h. That number drops to a 50 per cent survival rate if the collision occurs at 80 km/h.
During the month of May, police are targeting speeders, and Speed Watch volunteers will also be set up in B.C. communities to remind drivers of their speed.
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ICBC is also working with the government to upgrade 35 existing intersection safety cameras to identify and ticket speeding drivers.
Some tips for a safe long weekend road trip include:
- Plan your route and check road conditions at drivebc.ca before you leave
- Don’t speed up as someone is trying to pass you. Slow down and make room.
- Be realistic about travel times and don’t rush to make up time.
- Make a game of looking for motorcycles and count them as you go. It’s also a way to teach young drivers to look for motorcyclists.
- Stay focused and avoid distractions that may take your mind off driving and your eyes off the road. Leave your phone alone.
