BC Highway Patrol increased safety checks in Terrace during the B.C. Day long weekend to target dangerous driving and reduce collisions. Officers focused on impaired driving, speeding, and distracted driving. The operation, which ran from August 2 to August 4, used Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) to test drivers for alcohol.
MAS powers, introduced by the federal government in 2018, allow police to require a breath sample from any driver stopped for a lawful reason. This measure aims to deter impaired driving, which remains the leading cause of criminal death in Canada. Government reports show MAS has helped lower impaired driving deaths.
Corporal Michael McLaughlin of BC Highway Patrol said the checks are not an accusation but a safety measure. Any driver stopped can be asked for a breath sample. Officers use MAS across the province to make roads safer and prevent fatal crashes.
During the weekend operation, officers carried out 54 alcohol screening tests in Terrace. These checks resulted in three driving bans: one 90-day prohibition with a 30-day vehicle impound, one three-day prohibition, and one 24-hour prohibition. No impaired driving deaths occurred during the holiday weekend.
BC Highway Patrol has three main safety priorities. These are impaired driving, distracted driving — often due to mobile phone use — and speeding. The unit does not respond to emergency calls for crimes but focuses entirely on highway safety and traffic enforcement.
The weekend crackdown also targeted other risky driving behaviours. Officers issued six tickets for excessive speeding, 101 tickets for speeding, five tickets for using an electronic device while driving, and seven seatbelt tickets. These measures aim to remind drivers that road safety rules are strictly enforced, especially during busy travel periods.
McLaughlin stressed that traffic stops and safety checks are essential for preventing crashes. He encouraged drivers to comply with safety rules, avoid distractions, and stay sober when driving. BC Highway Patrol plans to continue using MAS as a key tool in improving road safety in British Columbia.
Holiday weekends often see higher traffic volumes, which increase the risk of serious collisions. By increasing checks during these times, police hope to deter risky driving before it leads to tragedy. The results in Terrace suggest that proactive enforcement can prevent serious incidents and keep communities safe.
BC Highway Patrol is expected to continue targeted enforcement across the province, especially in areas with high travel during holiday periods. Drivers are urged to follow speed limits, wear seatbelts, and put away electronic devices while driving. Road safety, McLaughlin noted, is a shared responsibility between drivers and enforcement officers.
The B.C. Day weekend results in Terrace reflect the broader goals of BC Highway Patrol: to reduce preventable deaths and injuries on the roads through consistent and visible enforcement. The use of MAS and strict penalties for speeding and distraction send a clear message that unsafe driving will not be tolerated in British Columbia.
