Caution encouraged for travelling over long weekend

Travellers are encouraged to be cautious behind the wheel over the Victoria Day long weekend.

The Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC) says many people will be hitting the road for their first road trips of the year, and it asks drivers to follow the speed limits during their travels.

Data from ICBC shows an average of three people are killed and 455 others are injured in 1,669 collisions across B.C. each May long weekend, adding speed is the top contributing factor in those incidents, followed by distraction.

Motorists in the Southern Interior account for an average of 60 injuries and 260 crashes over this long weekend.

Police forces throughout B.C. will be stepping up traffic enforcement measures as part of this month’s Speed Watch campaign.

Along with following speed limits, ICBC requests travellers be cautious of other road users like cyclists and motorcycles, allow extra travel time to account for busy roads and highways, avoid distractions when behind the wheel, plan trips ahead of time and check road conditions at DriveBC, and to not operate a vehicle if intoxicated.