Ahead of the long weekend, and National Impaired Driving week, Kamloops RCMP say there will be extra patrols this Victoria Day long weekend.

Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says they’ll be out looking for drivers impaired by both alcohol and drugs.

“The May long weekend is traditionally a time when people celebrate the coming of spring and summer and sometimes people celebrate using alcohol,” she said. “We just want to remind people there’s lots of ways to avoid impaired driving. Get a ride home or call a taxi.”

She adds if you are hosting a party to make sure that people leave with a sober driver.

“Some years there are more people who take that chance and other years it’s like any other weekend,” Shelkie added. “Hopefully, this year will be just a year where not much happens in the way of impaired driving.”

According to ICBC, 540 people were injured in 2,300 crashes over the May long weekend in 2017.

In the Southern Interior, there were 69 people injured in 350 crashes that year.

Drivers are also being reminder to buckle up, with Shelkie noting it is the best defense against a drunk driver.