Police report record number of impaired-driving stops at Sunfest

BC Highway Patrol says officers issued roadside prohibitions and suspensions to 36 drivers during last weekend’s four-day Sunfest Country Music Festival in Lake Cowichan, a record for the event.

The previous high was 25 impaired-driving stops in 2024. Police stopped 11 impaired drivers at the festival last year.

This year’s enforcement included 19 three-day immediate roadside prohibitions for first-time “warn” readings on a screening device and nine 90-day prohibitions for “fail” readings. Six people received 24-hour suspensions, which police said are typically related to drug-impaired driving. Two novice or learner drivers received 12-hour suspensions after any amount of alcohol or drugs was detected.

Insp. Adam Tallboy, who leads BC Highway Patrol on Vancouver Island, said the increase was deeply concerning and reflected poor decision-making. He said motorists should expect more check stops as police continue efforts to prevent impaired driving.