The Prince George RCMP is reminding drivers to make road safety a priority over the B.C. Day long weekend.
This warning is prompted by a nearly 110 per cent increase in the amount of reported motor vehicle incidents from 2022 to 2023 on this same weekend, police report.
We know it’s a popular weekend to travel and this year the weather is supposed to be nice and sunny in our region, which often means more people on the roads. We want to make sure that drivers and passengers are taking all the necessary precautions to help everyone arrive at their destination safely,
states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP.
Here are some tips:
- Make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing seatbelts or is in the proper child safety restraint (car seat) for their age, weight and height. If you’re unsure about car seat safety, please check out the ICBC website on Child Car Seats. Remember – until they are twelve (12) years old, the safest place for a child is in the back seat of a car (when available).
- Put your phone somewhere out of reach, like in the trunk or backseat, where you can’t be tempted to grab it and answer a text or look up information. Let your passengers respond to messages or check maps. In B.C. drivers are prohibited from holding, operating or watching the screen of a hand-held electronic communication device. For more information on use of electronic devices while driving, visit the Government of B.C. website.
- Drive sober. If you will be consuming products that result in impairment (drugs, alcohol or some medications) have a backup plan if you can no longer drive safely. Have money set aside for a cab, spend the night, or phone a friend for a ride. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination so you are not tempted to speed or drive aggressively. Weather conditions, the condition of the vehicle you are driving, and whether you are towing anything can all impact the speed at which you can safely travel.
- Be aware of motorcycle riders on the road and give them extra space. Motorcycles can manoeuvre more quickly and need shorter stopping distance than enclosed vehicles, meaning you need a larger space between you to keep everyone safe. According to the B.C. Highway Patrol unit, every year in B.C. there is an average of 2,400 collisions involving motorcycles.
- Remember that in B.C., drivers must slow down when passing a vehicle stopped alongside the road that has flashing red, blue or yellow lights. If the posted speed limit is 80km/h or more, drivers must slow to 70 km/h. If the posted speed limit is under 80 km/h, drivers must slow to 40 km/h. If there is a second lane to move into, drivers must move to the other lane when passing vehicles with flashing lights. You can find more information on the Slow Down, Move Over laws here.
