With Canada Day approaching, B.C. Highway Patrol is urging drivers to stay focused, drive to road conditions and make safety their top priority.
“It is the Summer Impaired Driving Campaign, and we need to remind people to celebrate responsibly. Don’t start the party too early,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, media relations officer with B.C. Highway Patrol.
“If you are going to be imbibing some drugs or alcohol, make sure you do it off the roads. Keep those highways safe. We also need to bear in mind that whatever the conditions of the road, you need to drive to them. A speed limit is meant for ideal conditions.”
McLaughlin said drivers should slow down when conditions deteriorate.
“So when you’ve got a bit of rain or it’s a bit dark or heavy traffic, you need to slow down. Let’s make sure everybody celebrates safely for Canada Day.”
With Canada Day falling midweek, B.C. Highway Patrol said the reminder extends through the holiday weekend, as many people are expected to take additional time off and travel.
“We can expect that people have taken some extra time off. Bear that in mind when you’re using our highways. Traffic could be unexpectedly light or unexpectedly heavy. Either way, speed limits exist for a reason. Make sure you’re focused. Make sure you haven’t had anything to drink or you’re not under the influence of any drugs on our roads.”
Environment and Climate Change Canada is forecasting a mix of sun and a chance of rain across much of the province on Canada Day.
Drivers are also encouraged to check road conditions before travelling by visiting the DriveBC website.
