BC Highway Patrol launching campaign targeting impaired drivers this month

The BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) is launching a campaign focused on targeting “high-risk” drivers later this month.

From May 17 to May 21, BCHP officers will be out in full force targeting impaired drivers, excessive speeders, street racers and distracted drivers.

With May long weekend fast approaching, the BCHP is preparing to see an increase in the number of collisions, including fatal collisions.

A news release from the BCHP says that from 2018 to 2022, there were an average of 1,800 collisions on May long weekends in BC with two to three collisions being fatal.

“All of those collisions had something in common – they were all preventable,” says Corporal Melissa Jongema, BC Highway Patrol Media Relations Officer, in the release.

“Do your part in keeping BC highways safe by respecting the lives of the drivers and passengers in other vehicles. Although they may be strangers, drive how you would drive if your loved ones were in the other vehicles on the road.”

The BCHP campaign aligns with National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day on May 18.

Enforcement efforts will increase across the province on May 18 in an effort to reduce the amount of impaired drivers on the roads.

The BCHP encourages all British Columbians to plan a safe ride home and report impaired drivers to their local police.

“Let’s work together to keep each other safe on our highways this May long weekend and drive to arrive, “ the agency says.