Summer campaign sees 24 impaired drivers removed from Kamloops-area highways: BC Highway Patrol

KAMLOOPS — There were far fewer impaired driving prohibitions issued than usual on highways in the Kamloops area during the most “problematic timeframe of the year.” 

According to the latest numbers from BC Highway Patrol, 24 impaired driving prohibitions were issued in Central B.C., which includes Clearwater, Kamloops, Kelowna and Merritt, from June 15 to July 31, 2026. It’s part of Highway Patrol’s Summer Impaired Driver Campaign (SIDC). 

While it’s a substantial year-over-year drop from the 111 drivers who were removed from provincial highways in Central BC during SIDC in 2025, Highway Patrol notes that campaign lasted an extra month from June 15 to Aug. 31. 

“Our officers did notice improvements in some of our usual check stops in 2026, but we are intercepting far too many people who choose to drive while impaired,” Supt. Lori Orstad states in a news release issued Tuesday (Aug. 18).