Record-breaking death tolls on B.C. highways

It’s been a deadly year on British Columbia’s highways, with a majority of the fatal crashes during the summer.

The province saw a staggering 51 driving fatalities in July alone — the highest number of deaths for a single month in over a decade, according to the BC Coroners Service.

During that month, 19 people lost their lives on the highways in just one week.

BC Emergency Health Services’ Brian Twaites attributes the tragic events to factors like distracted driving, speeding, driver error, and impairment.

“[There were] staggering numbers that are frightening,” Twaites described. “Over July, we responded to 2,247 motor vehicle incidents.”

The BC Coroners Service says there were 331 motor-vehicle related deaths in 2023, with 110 of those deaths occurring between July and September of that year.

While the province waits for the annual statistics from Road Safety BC for this year, experts continue to urge drivers to stay vigilant and prioritize safety on the roads.

“Put the phone somewhere where it’s not going to distract you. Make sure the music is not too loud. Make sure, if you’re a passenger, that you’re not distracting the driver,” Twaites advised.