With Canada Day marking the start of the busy summer travel season, drivers are being reminded to slow down and stay focused when passing through roadside work zones.

Road Safety at Work says July is one of the busiest months on B.C. roads, averaging more than 26 thousand reported crashes over the past five years, second only to December.

Officials say summer travel can bring added stress as drivers try to stick to schedules, catch ferries, or reach campsites, increasing the risk of crashes around roadside crews.

According to WorkSafeBC, 11 roadside workers were killed and another 263 were seriously injured on the job between 2016 and 2025.

Drivers are reminded to obey posted speed limits, put away their phones, and follow the directions of traffic control personnel.

They also need to follow B.C.'s Slow Down, Move Over law when approaching emergency vehicles or other vehicles stopped with flashing lights.

That means slowing to 70 kilometres an hour in higher-speed zones, or 40 kilometres an hour where the speed limit is below 80.

Officials say a moment of distraction can have life-changing consequences, and staying alert is one of the simplest ways to help roadside workers get home safely.