Preparation, patience and care to help keep roads safe on the long weekend

Long weekends can exact a heavy toll on roadways, necessitating the need for people to plan ahead and drive safely, cautions the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.

An average of five people are killed and 533 injured in 1,935 crashes across the province on long weekends, note ICBC crash and injury data from 2007 to 2011 and police fatality data from 2006 to 2010.

“If you’re going to get behind the wheel this weekend, you owe it to yourself and those you love to take your time, focus on the road and absolutely avoid driving while impaired,” Shirley Bond, British Columbia’s justice minister and attorney general, says in a statement.

Care is needed whether staying in town or going away. “If you’re setting off on a road trip, keep in mind that long drives and hot summer days can be a dangerous combination and increase your risk of driver fatigue,” says Fiona Temple, director of road safety at ICBC. “Take regular breaks and recognize when you’re too tired to continue,” Temple says.

“The unfortunate reality is that we see a spike in crashes over the B.C. Day long weekend so please drive responsibly and be courteous so that everyone gets to their destination and home again safely,” adds Kevin Falcon, provincial finance minister and deputy premier.