32 impaired driving bans issued on Vancouver Island during summer campaign

BC Highway Patrol officers issued 32 impaired driving bans on Vancouver Island during a six-week enforcement campaign this summer.

Four of the driving bans issued were related to drug-impaired driving, according to results released by BC Highway Patrol.

The 2026 Summer Impaired Driving Campaign ran from June 15th to July 31st, significantly shorter than last year’s 10-week campaign, which continued until August 31st.

During the 2025 campaign, officers issued 131 impaired driving prohibitions on Vancouver Island, including 17 related to drugs.

While this year’s numbers appear considerably lower, police cautioned against making a direct comparison. BC Highway Patrol said the shorter campaign and temporary redeployment of officers were significant factors in the decline.

“This year’s Summer Impaired Driving Campaign was only six weeks compared to ten weeks last year,” said Superintendent Lori Orstad with BC Highway Patrol.

“Our officers did notice improvements in some of our usual check stops in 2026, but we are intercepting far too many people who choose to drive while impaired.”

Across BC, officers issued 229 impaired driving prohibitions during this year’s campaign, including 18 related to drugs. That compares with 626 prohibitions, including 78 related to drugs, during the longer 2025 campaign.

The south coast recorded the highest number this year, with 97 prohibitions, followed by northern BC with 58 and Vancouver Island with 32.

Police said staffing levels have since returned to normal following the temporary redeployments and drivers should expect regular enforcement to continue.

BC Highway Patrol is reminding people to plan ahead, arrange a safe ride and never drive while impaired.