The Province is urging more caution after 19 people died in accidents on provincial highways last week. Between Friday, July 5, and Wednesday, July 10, 2024, 19 accident-related deaths were reported to the BC Coroners Service. Twelve of those deaths occurred during three incidents reported in the Interior Health Authority.
Collisions reported to the Coroners Service include single-vehicle incidents and multi-vehicle crashes. In the wake of these incidents, the coroner service urges residents and visitors to take extra care while planning road trips.
“We extend our condolences to all affected by these tragedies. We know there are far-reaching impacts as family and friends across the province and beyond mourn the loss of their loved ones,” said John McNamee, acting chief coroner. “While so many of us look forward to summer trips, unfortunately, statistics show the risk of deadly motor-vehicle crashes is much greater in July, August and September.”
According to the latest available data from the Coroners Service, there were 331 motor-vehicle incident deaths in BC last year. Of those deaths, 45 occurred in July, 32 in August and 33 in September. Between 2013 and 2023, more than one-third of the deaths happened on roadways in the Interior Health region and a quarter in the Fraser Health region.
There are ways to reduce the risk of a collision, and the BC Coroners Service is encouraging drivers to plan for a safer trip, including:
knowing your route and allowing time for possible delays because of increased traffic volume or construction;
wearing seatbelts, obeying posted speed limits and driving to road conditions, and
avoiding distracted driving and focusing on the road ahead.
People are also urged not to drink alcohol or consume drugs or other substances that could alter decision-making. From 2013 to 2021, alcohol or drugs were a factor in 33% of accident-related deaths.
