B.C. electronic music festival-goers fined for impairment, speeding

Hundreds of drivers faced penalties for various offences while traveling to and from the Shambhala Music Festival held in Salmo River Ranch in July.

B.C. Highway Patrol reported issuing numerous violation tickets during roadside checks and at roadblocks set up at the end of the festival. Offences included excessive speed, speeding, driving without due care, improper restraints, using electronic devices while driving, and driving without insurance.

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It’s concerning that so many people were driving with no insurance. And it’s particularly concerning combined with the high number of speeders. It shows a level of irresponsible decision-making, and we’d like to see safer behaviour on the roads that we all share.

Sgt. Michael McLaughlin expressed concern over the high number of drivers without insurance, especially when combined with frequent speeding. He noted this indicates irresponsible decision-making and called for safer road behavior. The patrol also reported towing 57 vehicles for mechanical safety or driver impairment, with 51 individuals receiving 24-hour driving suspensions for drug impairment. A total of 85 sobriety tests and 30 drug evaluations were conducted.

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We asked people before the event to make sure they allowed drugs to clear their system before driving, but too many ignored that advice.