RCMP officers throughout British Columbia have worked very hard during the Canada Road Safety Week (CRSW), which took place from May 18 to 24, 2010.

The week was chosen because it was the first “summer” long weekend.  There were more people traveling on the roadways and the sudden increase in traffic volume could result in more collisions. Police were at strategic high crash locations to conduct enforcement. During the CRSW, RCMP officers in British Columbia have issued:

• 463 violation tickets to vehicle occupants for not wearing their seat belts,
• 3,361 violation tickets for acts of aggressive driving, and
• 131 twenty-four (24) hour roadside driving prohibitions.

In addition, criminal charges were brought forward to 62 drivers for being impaired by alcohol and 9 for being impaired by drugs.

In 2009, there were 8 deaths and 118 serious injuries over the May long weekend. Over the same period in 2010, we have 2 deaths and 119 serious injuries. “2 deaths are still 2 too many,” said Cpl. Jamie Chung, “E” Division Media Relations Officer. “It's also very unsettling that 202 drivers were found driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in one weekend.”

The messages are simple: If you drink, don’t drive. If you are high, don’t drive. When you drive, be attentive and obey all traffic laws.

“Dedicated to improving public safety on our roadways.”

Released by

Cpl. Jamie CHUNG
Media Relations Officer
"E" Division Traffic Services HQ
traffic.bc.rcmp.ca
306C-20338 65th Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 2X3
Office: (604)539-2718
Cell: (604)786-0487
Fax: (604)539-2716
Email: EDIV_RCMP_HQ_Traffic_Services@rcmp-grc.gc.ca