During every month from May to September, an average of 141 speed-related crashes will result in injury or death in B.C.

During every month from May to September, an average of 141 speed-related crashes will result in injury or death in B.C.

ICBC released the jarring statistic this week with a warning: slow down. It and B.C. police departments are running a month-long campaign in May reminding drivers to pump their brakes and use common sense.

Speeding is the leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C., according to police-reported data between 2016 and 2020. In those years, an average of eight people were killed in such crashes every month throughout the summer.

On Vancouver Island, about 12 people are killed and 13 people are injured annually from speed-related crashes. The Northern Central region has the lowest number, with 12 people killed on average and one person injured.

It says drivers should always allow a following distance of two seconds behind other vehicles in good conditions, three seconds on highways, and at least four seconds in poor weather conditions.