BC Roads See Spike in Fatalities and Excessive Speeding Over Victoria Day Weekend

British Columbia - A sharp rise in road deaths and dangerous speeding during the May long weekend has prompted warnings from the BC Highway Patrol about driver complacency.

Five people died on B.C. roads over the Victoria Day long weekend in 2026, compared to zero fatalities the previous year. The increase marks a concerning reversal after a fatality-free weekend in 2025.

“The sad increase in long weekend deaths shows how we can’t be complacent after a good year like 2025,” said Inspector Chad Badry with the BC Highway Patrol.

While overall speeding tickets decreased compared to May 2025, excessive speeding citations, which carry vehicle impoundment, jumped significantly, signalling poorer judgment by many drivers.

Three motorcycles on a tow truck after they were impounded for excessive speed on Highway 97

In May 2026, officers issued 568 excessive speeding tickets with impound across the province, up from 403 in the same period last year.

Total speeding tickets fell to 7,898 from more than 9,600.Regional breakdowns for 2026 show the South Coast (including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley) led with 293 excessive speeding tickets and 2,219 total speeding tickets.

Central B.C. recorded 93 excessive and 1,881 total, while Northern B.C. saw 76 excessive and 1,818 total.

Enforcement highlights included:

• A single stop on Highway 97 east of Falkland on May 24, where one officer impounded three motorcycles travelling together at excessive speeds.

• Check stops during the May Days Festival in Fruitvale that removed five impaired drivers from the road, arrested a high-risk domestic violence suspect, and stopped two unlicensed, uninsured motorcyclists who were speeding.

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Inspector Badry noted that fewer total tickets do not necessarily mean safer driving.

“BC Highway Patrol officers wrote significantly more excessive speeding tickets in May 2026. Those tickets indicate a dangerous lack of judgment from many drivers.”

The release also highlighted risks for motorcyclists, who are three times more likely to be injured or killed in a crash than people in passenger vehicles.

One in three motorcycle crashes involves no other vehicle.

BC Highway Patrol says it will continue “education through enforcement” efforts throughout the summer and urges all drivers to prioritize safety to avoid both tickets and tragedy.

BC Roads See Spike in Fatalities and Excessive Speeding Over Victoria Day Weekend