North District RCMP Traffic Services are pleased the Labour Day weekend ended with no fatal motor vehicle collisions and no serious injuries in the Prince George Region
Sgt. Pat McTiernan said police enforcement units reported lower average speeds on highways and fewer complaints of aggressive driving.
"Our intent was to increase police visibility on the highways with a goal to avoid attending a fatal or injury motor vehicle crash."
Despite less than desirable weather conditions McTiernan believes increased police visibility played a role in making the roadways safer.
However, despite police warnings through the media and increased patrol units, a number of motorists were stopped resulting in a total of 10 Criminal Code charges and 283 provincial traffic charges across northern B.C.
From 12 noon Friday though 12 midnight Monday, there were 220 speeding violations, 19 seat belt violations, three impaired driving, four for no drivers licence, 12 moving violations, 16 non-moving violations, three commercial vehicle charges, three 24-hour suspensions for alcohol, four 24-hour suspensions for drugs, three administrative driving prohibitions, and two vehicle defect charges.
There were six drug seizures, two liquor seizures, one property seizure and one vehicle removed from the road for defects.
McTiernan says a successful long weekend is one where police don't have to deliver news that a family member has died or has been critically injured in traffic.
He sends along thanks to Prince George area motorists who abided by the rules and respected others using the highways with them.
One traffic fatality was reported in the Dawson Creek area Sept. 4.
