ICBC is warning drivers to slow down this Victoria Day long weekend.

Police will be out conducting a province-wide enforcement blitz May 19 targeting speeders and other high-risk driving behaviours.

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Long weekends typically mean more crashes on B.C. roads. Over the 2016 Victoria Day long weekend, 490 people were injured in 1,900 crashes across the province, with the majority of the crashes taking place on Lower Mainland roads — 330 people were injured in 1,200 crashes in the Lower Mainland.

On average two people are killed every year over the May long weekend.

“High-risk driving behaviours, like speeding, increase your risk of crashing,” ICBC said in a press release. “That’s why ICBC, police and Speed Watch volunteers are urging drivers to slow down. We all have a part to play in keeping our roads safe — if we want everyone else to drive smart, we first need to start with ourselves.”

This weekend’s enforcement blitz is part of a month-long campaign launched May 1 urging drivers to slow down.

“We’re at a point today where the number of crashes across our province, and the number of claims we’re receiving, are growing by the thousands every year,” Lindsay Matthews, ICBC’s acting vice-president responsible for road safety, said in a press release. “We can all do our part by slowing down to make roads safer and save lives.”

In 2016 alone, there were 330,000 crashes in B.C. — that’s 900 per day — and, according to ICBC, the number of crashes and related claims has been increasing steadily over the years.

On average, 43 people are killed every year in the Lower Mainland in crashes involving high-risk driving.



ICBC top five tips for drivers:

Plan your route and check road conditions at drivebc.ca before heading out.

Be realistic about travel times and accept delays that may arise. Don’t rush to make up time — slow down to reduce your risk of crashing and arrive at your destination safely. You also save fuel by driving at a safe and steady speed.

Don’t speed up when someone is trying to pass you. Help the other driver get back into your lane by slowing down and making room.

Stay focused and avoid distraction that take your mind off driving and your eyes off the road. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of crashes so remember to take a break from your phone.

With more motorcycles on our roads now, allow at least three seconds following distance when you’re behind a motorcycle. At intersections, the safest choice is to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming rider, as it can be hard to tell how fast they’re travelling. Remember, you only see motorcycles when you really look for them.