Police say dozens of drug-impaired drivers were removed from the roads during the recent Shambhala Music Festival in southeastern British Columbia, where an estimated 50,000 had people gathered for the four-day electronic music event. Mounties operated two roadblocks targeting people leaving the festival on July 27, handing out 51 driving suspensions for drug impairment, and towing 57 vehicles for either impairment or mechanical safety issues. “We asked people before the event to make sure they allowed drugs to clear their system before driving, but too many ignored that advice,” said Sgt. Michael McLaughlin of the B.C. Highway Patrol in a statement Tuesday. “It looks like we will have to be back next year, and hopefully in greater numbers, to deal with festivalgoers who are driving unsafely.” Throughout the festival weekend, police handed out more than 300 fines for speeding and 11 fines for driving without insurance, according to the B.C. Highway Patrol. A variety of fines for seatbelt infractions and distracted driving were also issued, police said. “It’s concerning that so many people were driving with no insurance,” McLaughlin said. “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.” The annual festival, which bills itself as Canada’s premier electronic music and arts festival, is held each year near the community of Salmo. The event drew attention last week after a 28-year-old attendee became the focus of a high-profile missing person investigation. News of her disappearance spread widely on social media, and her family travelled from Ontario to assist in the search before she was found safe. “She is receiving medical care and, most importantly, the family asks for privacy as we process this intense and miraculous development,” her family said in a July 31 statement.
