BC Highway Patrol Urges Drivers to ‘Slow Down’ and Drive Sober During Summer Traffic Surges

A spike in speeding and dangerous driving in Golden has the BC Highway Patrol asking drivers across the province to drive slower and sober during the summer.

“Summer is always a busy season on the Trans Canada, but we all need to obey the speed limit and drive with more caution,” says Corporal Michael McLaughlin, with BC Highway Patrol, in a media release. “Our officers feel like we are pulling people over moments before catastrophe, especially when drivers are speeding through national parks and construction zones.”

The Highway Patrol stopped a young driver from Williams Lake traveling at 168 km/h in a 90 km/h zone on Highway #1 in Yoho National Park, on July 4.

According to the BC Highway Patrol, the 24-year-old driver held a Class 7 Novice license and was driving with four passengers in the vehicle. The driver also blew a ‘fail’ on an Approved Screening Device for alcohol, issued by a Highway Patrol Officer.

The driver received multiple penalties for the incident, including:

• Excessive speeding (over 60 km/h), section 148(1) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), with a fine of $483;
• Driving contrary to restrictions (no alcohol in bloodstream for Novice Drivers), section 25(15) of the BC MVA ($109);
• Driving contrary to restrictions (too many passengers and no qualified supervisor) section 25(15) of the BC MVA ($109);
• Fail to Display N sign, section 30.10(4) of the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations (MVAR), with a fine of $109;
• A vehicle impound (and tow at his expense);
• A 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition;
• A five-month driving prohibition.

In the media release, the BC Highway Patrol said they are committed to keeping the public safe. They will also be patrolling and doing routine traffic stops along the highways.

“We can’t be everywhere at once; we need help from the public,” Corporal McLaughlin says. “If you see dangerous driving, please report it to the police. If you are the one who is driving dangerously; slow down, dude.”

The BC Highway Patrol also reminds the public that the Summer Impaired Driving Campaign, which they launched last month, is underway until August 31.