A rise in fatal crashes over the Victoria Day long weekend and an increase in excessive speeding tickets across Northern B.C. has BC Highway Patrol urging drivers to make safer choices behind the wheel this summer.
Five people died on B.C. roads during the 2026 Victoria Day long weekend, a sharp increase from 2025 when no fatalities were recorded. According to BC Highway Patrol, the increase serves as a reminder that safe driving habits cannot be taken for granted.
“The sad increase in long weekend deaths shows how we can’t be complacent after a good year like 2025,” said Inspector Chad Badry of BC Highway Patrol.
In Northern B.C., which includes most communities north of 100 Mile House, officers issued 1,818 speeding tickets during May. Of those, 76 were for excessive speeding, offences that result in an immediate vehicle impoundment.
While the overall number of speeding tickets was lower than in 2025, BC Highway Patrol said the increase in excessive speeding violations is concerning.
“A lower overall number of tickets is good, but it’s not an indication that we are actually driving more safely,” said Badry. “BC Highway Patrol officers wrote significantly more excessive speeding tickets in May 2026. Those tickets indicate a dangerous lack of judgment from many drivers.”
Police are also reminding motorcyclists to take extra precautions. According to RoadSafetyBC, motorcyclists are three times more likely to be injured or killed in a crash than occupants of passenger vehicles, and one in three motorcycle crashes does not involve another vehicle.
BC Highway Patrol said enforcement efforts will continue throughout the summer, with officers focusing on speeding, impaired driving and other high-risk behaviours that contribute to serious crashes.
