If you thought it would be easier to speed and get where you were going faster this past May long weekend, you'd be wrong.
B.C. RCMP Traffic Services announced enforcement would be returning to normal pre-COVID-19 levels after seeing a noticeable spike in excessive speeding offenses with May also being Canada Road Safety Week and the month's High Risk Driving Campaign.
"B.C. RCMP Traffic Services can report that, although there were no fatal collisions on provincial highways over the long weekend, the same cannot be said for the number of excessive speed violations over the same period," a media release said.
In northern B.C. collectively, traffic services say there were 179 speeding offenses including 12 for excessive speeding.
Overall, B.C. RCMP Traffic Services (including IRSU) across the province impounded nearly 150 vehicles for excessive speed alone over the long weekend.
“Last week I stated that this spike in excessive speed violations is concerning and unacceptable,” Officer in Charge of Traffic Services Supt. Turton adds in the release.
“That sentiment has not changed and I am disappointed that there are drivers who continue to choose to break the law and put themselves and others in risk. This is not a game. Our officers will continue to demonstrate their commitment to road safety. There is no excuse, including COVID-19, for this kind of high risk driving behaviour anywhere in our province.”
One incident particularly stood out from the weekend, according to police.
One person was stopped for excessive speeding by Lower Mainland IRSU for going 130 km/h in a residential area.
They were then caught again four hours later, in a different car, going more than 160 km/h on Highway 1.
Police say the driver has been referred to RoadSafetyBC where a lengthy driving prohibition will be considered.
