New data released by the BC Coroners Service shows that one third of all motor vehicle deaths between 2008 and 2016 involved either drugs or alcohol.

Coroners spokesperson Andy Watson says the data also showed that between 2011 and 2016, 29 per cent of drivers and passengers who died were not wearing a seat belt or strapped into a car seat.

“Lets use our common sense and take the time that we need to get to our destination,” he said. “Wear a seat belt, don’t drink and drive or be impaired while driving, and we’ll have a much better summer here in British Columbia.

“We’ll be focused on spending time with each other and going to events rather than mourning folks here in our province.”

Watson adds these deaths are all preventable.

“When you think about one third of the deaths in the province that could potentially be preventable, that’s really a telling sign,” he said.

“As we enter into a May Long weekend, and more motorists will be on the roadways, make sure that you are not speeding, make sure that you are giving yourself every opportunity to get to your destination safely.”

The data also revealed that one third of the deaths over the past decade have been in the Interior Health area.

“It’s not a major increase from what we’ve seen in previous reports, but it does show that we’re seeing a higher rate of fatal motor vehicle incidents in the Interior Health Authority region than other parts of the province,” Watson said.

There were 111 deaths in the Interior Health area in 2018, up slightly from the 106 the year prior.

Overall in 2018, there were 314 motor vehicle deaths in B.C., which is up from the 299 in 2017, but still slightly below the provincial average of 326.

As for motorcycle-involved fatalities, the service says 51 people died last year alone, a 50 per cent increase over the previous year.

(Photo for representation only)