Summer drunk driving campaign ending earlier this year, B.C. Highway Patrol says

A checkpoint is seen in Price George in this image handed out by B.C. Highway Patrol.

The annual B.C. Highway Patrol crackdown on summer drunk driving is ending one month earlier this year.

The Summer Impaired Driving Campaign launched June 15, as usual, but will be concluding on July 31—a significant shift from the previous timeline of June 15 to Aug. 31.

In a news release, BCHP said June and July are the “most dangerous times of the year” for impaired driving crashes in the province, and that the campaign was rescheduled to “reflect reality and save lives on our roads.”

“Drivers can expect increased impaired driving enforcement from both marked and unmarked police vehicles, and they may be subject to mandatory alcohol screening,” said Insp. Adam Tallboy, in a statement.

“People who choose to be impaired by alcohol or drugs will face serious consequences.”

In an email, Cpl. Michael McLaughlin told CTV News the decision to shorten this year’s campaign had “nothing to do with budgetary considerations,” and noted it is “already longer than every other B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police enforcement campaign,” which typically last one month.

The most recent collision statistics available from the Insurance Corporation of B.C. suggest impairment remains a serious problem through August.

Between 2020 and 2024, there were 35 deaths related to impaired driving crashes that took place that month—the same number as July.

There were 33 deaths related to impaired crashes that took place in June over the same period.

McLaughlin said when crashes causing non-fatal injuries are included as well, June and July “consistently represent” the worst months in the province. He told CTV News he was not authorized to share the statistics BCHP used in its decision to change the timeline of this year’s crackdown.

During last year’s Summer Impaired Driving Campaign that ended Aug. 31, officers pulled 626 drivers off the road, including 57 who were believed to be under the influence of drugs.

Authorities have warned the public that under Canada’s mandatory alcohol screening law, police are allowed to demand a breath sample from anyone—even if there is no suspicion the driver is intoxicated.