BCHP-IRSU writes more than tickets 100 to keep Greater Victoria road users safe

BC Highway Patrol

2024-10-23 07:58 PDT

File # CRD Enforcement

More than 100 tickets have been issued after four days of campaigns aimed at keeping drivers off their phones and protecting vulnerable road users in Greater Victoria.

During the week of October 8-11th, 2024, officers from the BC Highway Patrol Capital Regional District-Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU), working with community partners, conducted extra targeted distracted driving and intersection campaigns. The focus included major intersections in Saanich, Victoria, Langford and Sidney. During these targeted campaigns, officers issued tickets for drivers using their cell phones, not wearing their seatbelts and running red lights.

As mornings are getting darker earlier drivers are reminded to leave their phones alone and concentrate on the road where there are numerous vulnerable road users. Inspector Adam Tallboy, the Officer in Charge of BC Highway Patrol, Vancouver Island, said we all need to pay greater attention to children and pedestrians in crosswalks and school zones.

ICBC statistics indicate that nearly half (42%) of crashes involving pedestrians occur between October and January as weather and visibility worsen in BC. On Vancouver Island, on average 286 pedestrians are injured in crashes each year. Drivers are encouraged to focus on the road, and leave their phone and other distractions alone while driving. Pedestrians are reminded to wear bright reflective clothing, put their cell phone down, make eye contact with drivers and use designated crosswalks. Daylight Saving Time is just around the corner and can significantly impact critical driving skills like concentration, alertness, and reaction time to potential hazards.

A/S/Sgt. Jereme Leslie
BCHP-CRD-IRSU
Media Relations Officer

Released by:

Email: bchp_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: bc-cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/highway-patrol

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