BC Highway Patrol says dangerous driving remains a serious concern across the Kamloops region after officers issued more excessive speeding tickets in May than they did a year ago.

New enforcement statistics released Thursday show officers in the Central Interior region — which includes Kamloops, Merritt, Kelowna and Clearwater — handed out 93 excessive speeding tickets in May 2026, along with 1,881 speeding tickets overall.

The figures were part of a provincewide enforcement campaign that also saw a troubling increase in fatalities over the Victoria Day long weekend.

Five people were killed on B.C. roads during this year’s May long weekend, up from zero fatalities during the same holiday period in 2025.

“The sad increase in long weekend deaths shows how we can’t be complacent after a good year like 2025,” BC Highway Patrol Inspector Chad Badry said in a news release.

Dangerous Speeds Remain a Concern

While the total number of speeding tickets issued across the province declined compared to last year, BC Highway Patrol says the increase in excessive speeding violations is particularly concerning.

Excessive speeding in B.C. is defined as driving more than 40 kilometres per hour above the posted speed limit and typically results in an immediate vehicle impoundment.

Across the province, officers issued 568 excessive speeding tickets in May 2026, up significantly from the 403 written during the same enforcement campaign in 2025.

“A lower overall number of tickets is good, but it’s not an indication that we are actually driving more safely,” Badry said. “BC Highway Patrol officers wrote significantly more excessive speeding tickets in May 2026. Those tickets indicate a dangerous lack of judgment from many drivers.”

Falkland Motorcycle Riders Impounded

One of the more notable enforcement incidents in the Southern Interior occurred on May 24 near Falkland.

BC Highway Patrol says an officer stopped a group of motorcyclists travelling together on Highway 97 east of Falkland and impounded three motorcycles for excessive speeding.

Police are also reminding motorcyclists to exercise caution as summer riding season gets underway.

According to RoadSafetyBC data cited by BC Highway Patrol, motorcyclists are three times more likely to be injured or killed in a crash than occupants of passenger vehicles. About one-third of motorcycle crashes do not involve another vehicle.

Summer Enforcement Continues

BC Highway Patrol says officers will continue targeted enforcement and education campaigns throughout the summer months, focusing on speeding, impaired driving and other high-risk behaviours.

Police are urging drivers to slow down, obey posted speed limits and make safe decisions behind the wheel.

“Driving safely is the best way to avoid both tickets and tragedy,” BC Highway Patrol said.