A new Ipsos survey commissioned by ICBC has revealed a troubling reality on BC roads—one in four drivers admitted to momentarily nodding off behind the wheel in the past year.
More than half (52%) said they’ve driven while tired or drowsy during that same period.
With the BC Day long weekend approaching, ICBC is urging drivers to take fatigue seriously, especially during summer when long road trips and hot weather can dangerously sap energy and focus.
According to police data, fatigue-related crashes increase by 71% during July and August compared to the rest of the year. On Vancouver Island, an average of 84 people are injured or killed annually in such crashes.
“It’s alarming that so many drivers on our roads have been tired enough that they’ve nodded off or fallen asleep,” said Kathleen Nadalin, ICBC’s road safety manager.
“If you’re tired to begin with, you shouldn’t be driving. Even well-rested drivers can feel drained by hot summer weather, especially on long road trips—so plan to take breaks every two hours and switch drivers if you can.”
Of those who reported driving while fatigued, 68% cited lack of sleep as a factor. Another 53% blamed driving too long without a break, and 48% pointed to the time of day they travelled.
Among those who lacked sleep, nearly 40% had slept four hours or less the night before.
Drivers often rely on tactics like rolling down the window, blasting music, or drinking caffeine to stay alert—but these don’t replace sleep.
ICBC says if you notice signs of fatigue, such as drifting from your lane, blurred vision, or forgetting the last few minutes of driving, the safest option is to pull over and rest.
“Fatigue slows your reaction time—and even a slight delay can significantly increase the risk of a crash,” added Nadalin.
To help prevent these types of crashes, ICBC and the Ministry of Transportation have invested approximately $2.7 million in rumble strips on BC highways since 2016.
These grooves alert drowsy or distracted drivers when they drift from their lane. ICBC also supports installing barriers along roadsides and medians, especially on high-speed highways and rural routes.
This summer, ICBC road safety teams have also been stationed at BC Ferries terminals during long weekends to remind travellers to prioritize road safety before setting off on their journeys.
Warning signs of fatigue include:
- Struggling to stay in your lane
- Forgetting the last few minutes of driving
- Difficulty focusing or blurred vision
- Yawning, boredom or daydreaming
- Feeling heavy-eyed or nodding off
Tips to avoid driving tired:
- Get at least seven hours of quality sleep before driving
- Avoid travelling during your usual sleeping hours
- Be aware of how medications may impact alertness
- Plan a break every two hours and switch drivers if possible (visit drivebc.ca to find rest stops)
Summer crash statistics:
Annual average for fatigue-related injuries or deaths:
- Vancouver Island: 84
- Lower Mainland: 189
- Southern Interior: 154
- Northern BC: 86
BC Day long weekend crash averages:
- Province-wide: 2 deaths, 562 injuries in 2,064 crashes
- Vancouver Island: 67 injuries in 306 crashes
- Lower Mainland: 387 injuries in 1,235 crashes
- Southern Interior: 78 injuries in 352 crashes
- Northern BC: 24 injuries in 130 crashes
For more details and a breakdown of the survey results, visit icbc.com.
