BC Highway Patrol issued 1,193 fewer tickets in October 2026, cites staffing as a factor
BC Highway Patrol issued 6,695 tickets provincewide in October 2026, down from 7,888 in October 2025. Superintendent Lori Orstad says a drop in staffing levels appears to be one reason for the lower number.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on cheknews.ca.
BC Highway Patrol issued 6,695 tickets provincewide in October 2026, down from 7,888 in the same month a year earlier, a drop of 1,193, CHEK News reported on November 10, 2026. Superintendent Lori Orstad of BC Highway Patrol said a drop in staffing levels appears to be one reason for the lower enforcement numbers.
On Vancouver Island, tickets fell from 1,598 in October 2025 to 1,315 in October 2026, a drop of 283, CHEK News reported.
The numbers come from BC Highway Patrol's annual Drive Relative to Conditions campaign, which runs each October and focuses on asking drivers to adjust their speed for weather, darkness and road conditions. BC Highway Patrol is the RCMP unit responsible for traffic enforcement on provincial highways outside city limits.
What Orstad said
"We ask all drivers to understand that posted speed limits are created for ideal, dry, clear, daytime conditions," Orstad told CHEK News. "Safe driving always starts with staying sober and alert, but you also need to slow down for poor weather, darkness, or heavy traffic."
The CHEK News report does not say how much staffing has dropped or what is causing the change. It says the drop in enforcement numbers does not mean drivers are getting safer.
Why speed matters on BC roads
ICBC data cited by CHEK News shows speed contributes to more than 2,400 crashes a year in British Columbia, resulting in an average of 91 deaths per year. With fewer patrol officers on provincial highways, Orstad's message to drivers: do not rely on enforcement, and slow down in poor conditions.
November is one of the wettest months of the year on much of BC's coast, and a third major storm system is moving through the province this week. Drivers should check road conditions before travelling on provincial highways at drivebc.ca and follow active travel advisories at the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure's website.
Questions this story answers
How many tickets did BC Highway Patrol issue in October 2026?
BC Highway Patrol issued 6,695 tickets provincewide in October 2026, down from 7,888 in October 2025, a drop of 1,193, CHEK News reported on November 10, 2026. On Vancouver Island, tickets fell from 1,598 in October 2025 to 1,315 in October 2026, a drop of 283.
Why did BC Highway Patrol issue fewer tickets in October 2026?
Superintendent Lori Orstad of BC Highway Patrol told CHEK News on November 10, 2026 that a drop in staffing levels appears to be one reason for the lower enforcement numbers. The report does not say what is causing the staffing drop or by how much staffing has changed.
What is the Drive Relative to Conditions campaign?
Drive Relative to Conditions is BC Highway Patrol's annual safety campaign, reported by CHEK News on November 10, 2026. The campaign focuses on encouraging drivers to adjust their speed and driving behaviour to weather and road conditions. In October 2026, the campaign resulted in almost 1,200 fewer tickets issued than in October 2025.
How many people die in speed-related crashes in BC each year?
ICBC data cited by CHEK News on November 10, 2026 shows speed contributes to more than 2,400 crashes a year in British Columbia, resulting in an average of 91 deaths per year. BC Highway Patrol's annual Drive Relative to Conditions campaign focuses on asking drivers to slow down in poor weather, darkness or heavy traffic.
What does BC Highway Patrol say drivers should do in poor conditions?
Superintendent Lori Orstad of BC Highway Patrol told CHEK News on November 10, 2026: 'We ask all drivers to understand that posted speed limits are created for ideal, dry, clear, daytime conditions. Safe driving always starts with staying sober and alert, but you also need to slow down for poor weather, darkness, or heavy traffic.'
How many tickets did BC Highway Patrol issue on Vancouver Island in October 2026?
CHEK News reported on November 10, 2026 that BC Highway Patrol issued 1,315 tickets on Vancouver Island in October 2026, down from 1,598 in October 2025. The drop of 283 tickets on the island mirrors the provincewide decline from 7,888 to 6,695 tickets over the same period.
Who is Superintendent Lori Orstad?
Superintendent Lori Orstad is the head of BC Highway Patrol, the RCMP unit responsible for traffic enforcement on provincial highways. CHEK News quoted Orstad on November 10, 2026 on the October 2026 ticket numbers and the Drive Relative to Conditions campaign.
What should BC drivers do when roads are wet or dark?
Superintendent Lori Orstad of BC Highway Patrol told CHEK News on November 10, 2026 that posted speed limits are set for ideal, dry, clear, daytime conditions. Drivers should slow down in poor weather, darkness or heavy traffic, and must stay sober and alert. With fewer patrol officers on the road, drivers should not expect speed enforcement to substitute for safe driving choices.
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