The police on highway patrol around the Prince George area urged motorists to keep driving hazards to a minimum during this, the last hurrah of summer. Labour Day typically ends in leaps in the area's death and injury statistics on the roads, but that doesn't have to be you, said RCMP Sgt. Pat McTiernan of the region's high patrol department.
"We will be out sharing the road with you," McTiernan said.
"The traffic unit has scheduled all its available police cars out on the provincial highways. Remember, with the increased police presence on the highway, the chances of being apprehended are higher. They [highway police] will be focusing on aggressive or erratic drivers, who are making our roadways unsafe. Impaired driving, speed, following too closely, unsafe passing, and distracted driving will be among the key offenses our enforcement personnel will be prioritizing."
Proper seatbelt use will also be a heavy emphasis for RCMP during the this period of mingling on the road of students getting to their place of school, families getting one last trip in before classes begin, and the final recreational missions of summer all trying to reach destinations around the north.
"We don't want anyone's summer to end on a tragic note," said Denise Dubyk, MADD Canada's National President. "However you celebrate this Labour Day weekend, please plan ahead for safe and sober transportation."
"The couple of seconds you save in that aggressive diving behavior is not worth your life or the one of someone you love," said McTiernan. "The consequence for a moment of impatience can be tragic and one you can't have back."
The Labour Day weekend is so often a time of suffering and damage on B.C.'s roads that Canadian Blood Services is urging as many as possible to donate blood as soon as you are able because of all the surgeries that attempt to piece together the victims of highway crashes. According to the blood agency, it can take as much as 50 units of blood for one car crash victim.
"Summer is always a challenging time of year to collect blood, since donors change their routines, take vacations, travel and are distracted with outdoor activities. Donating blood is not always top of mind," said Janet Wong a Canadian Blood Services spokesperson. "Meanwhile, the need for blood does not take a summer vacation. With people returning to their regular routines, we're encouraging local residents to put blood donation back on the list of 'need to do'."
