July 29, 2025
RED FM News Desk
As the BC Day long weekend rapidly approaches, ICBC is issuing a critical warning to drivers about an often-underestimated summer hazard: fatigue. A recent Ipsos survey paints a concerning picture, with one-in-four (24%) B.C. drivers admitting to having momentarily nodded off while driving in the past year. Furthermore, half of all surveyed drivers (52%) reported driving while tired or drowsy within the last year.
Police data underscores the severity of the issue, showing that 71% more people are injured or killed in fatigue-related crashes in July and August across B.C. compared to the rest of the year.
“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 Road Safety Manager. “Consider how you feel before getting behind the wheel. If you’re tired to begin with, you shouldn’t be driving. If you’re feeling rested, keep in mind that hot summer weather can be draining, especially on long drives, so plan to take a break every two hours to keep your energy levels up and switch drivers if you can.”
The survey identified key factors contributing to fatigued driving: 68% of fatigued drivers cited lack of sleep the night before, 53% pointed to driving too long without a break, and 48% attributed it to the time of day they traveled. Of those who lacked sleep, 38% had slept four hours or less, and 46% had five to seven hours. Among those citing long drives, 46% had been driving three hours or more without a break.
“Fatigue slows your reaction time and when driving at highway speeds, even a slight reduction can significantly increase your risk of crashing,” Nadalin emphasized. She advised that if drivers notice signs of fatigue, such as not remembering recent driving, struggling to focus, or blurred vision, the safest course of action is to pull over safely and take a nap.
To help mitigate fatigue-related collisions, ICBC, in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, has invested approximately $2.7 million since 2016 in new shoulder and centreline rumble strips on B.C. highways. These rumble strips are designed to alert drowsy or distracted drivers when their vehicle drifts from its lane. The road improvement program also funds investments in median and roadside barriers, which prevent vehicles from veering off the road or into oncoming traffic, particularly on high-speed highways and rural routes.
While drivers often rely on fresh air, music, and caffeinated beverages to stay alert, these methods are often insufficient. ICBC urges drivers to be aware of the following warning signs of fatigue difficulty staying within your lane, fluctuations in driving speed, not recalling the last few minutes of driving, struggling to stay focused on the road or experiencing blurred vision, feeling bored, yawning, or daydreaming and heavy eyes or difficulty keeping your head up (if this occurs, stop driving immediately).
Fatigue-Related Crash Statistics (5-Year Average: 2019-2023)
Lower Mainland: 189 people injured or killed annually.
Vancouver Island: 84 people injured or killed annually.
Southern Interior: 154 people injured or killed annually.
Northern B.C.: 86 people injured or killed annually.
BC Day Long Weekend Crash Statistics (5-Year Average: 2018-2022)
Province-wide: On average, two fatalities and 562 injuries across 2,064 crashes.
Lower Mainland: 387 people injured in 1,235 crashes.
Vancouver Island: 67 people injured in 306 crashes.
Southern Interior: 78 people injured in 352 crashes.
Northern B.C.: 24 people injured in 130 crashes.
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