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By Liam Verster

Safe and Sober Driving

ICBC encouraging safe driving over Canada Day weekend

Jun 30, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Drivers are being reminded to stay safe and sober behind the wheel over the Canada Day long weekend.

The Insurance Corporation of B.C. say an average of 176 people are injured in 605 crashes in B.C. over the long weekend each year.

Those include 115 crashes resulting in 23 injuries in the Southern Interior.

ICBC noted impaired driving is one of the largest contributors to collisions in B.C., resulting in 64 deaths, 1,400 injuries and 2,362 incidents on average each year in B.C.

In the Southern Interior, impaired driving contributes to 24 deaths and 344 injuries in 553 crashes each year.

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“Impaired driving has a devastating impact on families and communities, yet some people are still willing to take the risk,” Shabnem Afzal, ICBC’s director of road safety, said.

“There’s no excuse to get behind the wheel after drinking. Every time someone is injured or killed due to impaired driving, it’s preventable.”

The Crown Corporation stated police will be ramping up enforcement and looking to take impaired drivers off B.C. roads over the long weekend.

“If you’re planning your weekend celebrations, night out, or even a day at the beach and it involves alcohol, be sure to also plan how you’re getting home,” Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, stated.

“The key to preventing impaired driving is planning ahead. Save lives – take a taxi, ride share, ride transit, or arrange a designated driver.”