VICTORIA – The B.C. Day long weekend sees heavy traffic on provincial highways.
To ensure safety, the Province and the BC Highway Patrol advise that travellers should plan ahead and exercise extra caution.
People travelling B.C.’s most popular routes should expect heavy traffic and congestion during peak travel times and should plan for extra travel time, or travel at off-peak hours when possible.
Extra traffic volume is expected on Vancouver Island highways (including the Malahat and Highway 4 to Tofino), on Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley and between Kamloops and Alberta, on the Sea to Sky (Highway 99), and on routes to BC Ferries’ terminals and to all major Canada/U.S. border crossings.
Drivers should be prepared for highway closures due to wildfires. Fire conditions can change quickly, and highways may close with limited notice.
BC Highway Patrol’s summer impaired driving campaign will increase impaired driving enforcement with a focus on special events, such as festivals. This is an effort to eliminate fatalities on B.C. highways. Officers will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance toward impaired drivers.
Many motorcyclists will be out on the roads this long weekend. Both riders and drivers can help prevent crashes by sharing the roads responsibly. As a rider, always wear your gear. All road users should stay focused, maintain a safe distance, and choose appropriate speeds to prevent crashes.