More than 100 B.C. drivers were turned around for non essential travel this weekend

B.C. Mounties had a busy start to the May long weekend enforcing non-essential travel restrictions at four highway checkpoints linking the Lower Mainland to other parts of the province.

A BC RCMP Communications Services representative said checkpoints were up and running in Lillooet, Manning Park, the old Coquihalla tollbooths and Boston Bar Friday and Saturday, and of the thousands checked 103 were pulled over and turned around.

Additionally, two drivers were charged with allegedly failing to stop for police and fined $230.

Here's the weekend by the numbers:

Friday, May 21

  • Highway 99 – Lillooet – 187 vehicles were checked. 10 vehicles turned around.
  • Highway 3 – Manning Park – 519 vehicles were checked. 28 vehicles turned around.
  • Highway 5 – Old Toll Booths – 1,776 vehicles were checked. 9 vehicles turned around. 2 drivers were charged for allegedly failing to stop for police contrary to section 4 (1) pf the EPA – Travel Restrictions Order No. 2, which carries a $230 fine.
  • Highway 1 – Boston Bar – 354 vehicles were checked. 8 vehicles turned around.

Saturday, May 22

  • Highway 99 – Lillooet – 165 vehicles were checked. 24 vehicles turned around.
  • Highway 3 – Manning Park – 183 vehicles were checked. 18 vehicles turned around.
  • Highway 5 – Old Toll Booths – 615 vehicles were checked. 6 vehicles turned around.

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Kathy Michaels

Kathy Michaels has been an Okanagan-based journalist for more than a decade, working for community papers along the valley and beyond.
She’s won provincial and national awards in business, news and feature writing and says that her love for telling a good story rivals only her fondness for turning a good phrase.
If you have a story that deserves to be told in a thoughtful and compassionate manner, don’t hesitate to reach out.
To reach Kathy call 250-718-0428 or email kmichaels@infonews.ca.