June 2009 news releases

ICBC news releases

Province, ICBC and police warn against drinking and driving — June 29

ICBC's 2010 Winter Games licence plate sales top 150,000 — June 26

Learner driver learns the hard way: Lying isn't worth it — June 16

ICBC's top five things to do after a car crash — June 11

ICBC urges grads to plan for a safe ride home — June 4

ICBC partners with eco car-sharing program — June 3

Province, ICBC and police warn against drinking and driving

CounterAttack roadchecks on now

As the summer BBQ season and Canada Day celebrations kick off, the Province, ICBC and police are reminding motorists that drinking and driving can be a deadly combination. The month-long, province-wide campaign includes enhanced CounterAttack roadchecks, advertising and partnerships with sports facilities, municipalities and businesses. 

On Canada Day alone, there are approximately 20 alcohol-related crashes in B.C. resulting in 20 injuries and one death.*

"I've seen the tremendous damage and pain caused by drinking and driving," said Solicitor General Kash Heed. "I particularly want young people to know that they are risking their own lives and the lives of their friends if they make the wrong choice and get behind the wheel when they've been drinking."

In an average year in B.C., 5,100 alcohol-related collisions cause 3,180 injuries and 116 deaths. Young men continue to be vastly over-represented in alcohol-related crashes, accounting for 81 per cent of all impaired drivers. Thirty-five per cent of all impaired drivers in alcohol-related collisions are between the ages of 16 and 25.**

"We have a tough challenge because many people, and particularly young men, aren't being honest with themselves about their drinking and driving," cautioned Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC's road safety director. "The reality is it doesn't take much to impair your judgment, hand-eye coordination and reaction time. So if you're drinking at a summer BBQ or at a party, it's easy to make smart choices: leave your car at home, carpool and designate a driver in advance, call a cab, take transit or ask a sober friend to drive you home."

During July, police across the province will be out in full force checking for drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. Impaired drivers stopped at roadchecks or elsewhere face a range of penalties from 24-hour prohibitions and vehicle impoundments, 90-day administrative driving prohibitions to criminal charges, fines and jail time. In addition, drivers who have one or more driving-related criminal convictions or two or more roadside suspensions on or after January 1, 2008, will pay ICBC a Driver Risk Premium, separate from insurance premiums.

On top of fines, all convicted drinking drivers who receive multiple driving prohibitions are required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicles, which prevents them from starting or continuing to drive if they've been drinking. Program evaluations have found up to a 90 per cent reduction in repeat drinking and driving when the device is installed.

"While we're out to enforce the law, we're also hoping to educate drivers. One of the hardest parts of our job is knocking on a door to deliver tragic news to a victim's family," added Superintendent Norm Gaumont, RCMP "E" division traffic services. "Crashes involving alcohol and drugs are completely preventable, and the impact on families and communities is profound."
Drivers are reminded of these tips:

• Make the smart choice: choose a designated driver before going out, keep money aside for a bus or taxi, or call a friend.
• Refuse to ride with drivers who may be impaired. Ask to be let out of the car if necessary.
• Take a stand and don't let people drive if they are or have been drinking alcohol.
• If you see an impaired driver, report it to your local police detachment—call 911.
• Talk about the issue often with your family and friends.
• Learn about the effects of alcohol. It affects your judgment, reaction time, coordination, your ability to steer, track moving objects, brake and control your speed and lane position.
• No amount of coffee, cold showers or fresh air will make you sober. The only cure is time. It takes about six hours for your body to eliminate all the alcohol from a blood/alcohol reading of .08 (the legal limit).

Visit www.icbc.com for more information and tips.

^{*Annual averages from 2004-2008 ICBC and police-reported data.
**Annual averages from 2003-2007 police-reported data.}

Media Contact:
Kim Thé
604-842-5023

ICBC's 2010 Winter Games licence plate sales top 150,000

Support the 2010 Winter Games and win tickets in ICBC's ‘Tickets to 2010' campaign

Maple Ridge resident, Lyle Short, has become the 150,000th ICBC customer to show his support for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by purchasing a special edition 2010 Winter Games licence plate.

The 150,000th 2010 licence plate sold also came with a special reward – a pair of 2010 Winter Games event tickets to thank Mr. Short for his support of ICBC and the 2010 Winter Games.

"These phenomenal sales really demonstrate the passion and enthusiasm British Columbians have towards the Games," said ICBC's Jeff Schulz, vice president, strategic marketing. "The 2010 Winter Games are going to be one of the most significant events to take place in B.C.'s recent history and this plate program has provided a way for British Columbians to show their Olympic Spirit. We want to thank our proud supporters and provide them a chance to experience the Games."

With just 231 days left until the start of the 2010 Winter Games, ICBC has launched its Tickets to 2010 campaign to thank more customers for their continued support. Any customer who has already purchased a 2010 Winter Games licence plate will be automatically entered to win one of 150 pairs of 2010 Winter Games event tickets.

Customers who purchase a plate between June 15 and December 6 will be entered into a weekly draw to win one of two pairs of 2010 Winter Games event tickets. To learn more about the Tickets to 2010 promotion, and about the six new B.C. athletes featured on the site, visit behindthedrive.com.

"The success of this plate program has been remarkable," said Dave Cobb, Executive Vice President & Deputy CEO at VANOC. "These licence plates have allowed British Columbians to showcase themselves as proud supporters of the Games and athletes." Motorists all over British Columbia are showing their support with approximately 98,000 plates sold in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, 18,000 sold on Vancouver Island, 24,000 sold in the Southern Interior and 10,000 sold in Northern B.C.

2010 Winter Games licence plates can be purchased from Autoplan brokers for an initial fee of $35 (annual renewal fee of $25 until 2012). 2010 Winter Games licence plates are an official licence plate and will continue to be valid beyond the Games. Customers are encouraged to retain the plates but if they choose to cancel their plate after December 31, 2010, they will get to keep the front licence plate as a souvenir in recognition of their support.

Additional information about 2010 Winter Games licence plates is available at local Autoplan broker offices or at: http://www.icbc.com/registration/reg_spec_lic_plates_opp.asp

Media Contact:
Mark Jan Vrem
604-982-2476

Learner driver learns the hard way: Lying isn't worth it

Court orders driver to pay ICBC out of pocket for totaling car

The case of a young Surrey woman serves as a timely reminder to new drivers about the perils of ignoring the requirements of British Columbia's Graduated Licensing Program.

A BC Provincial Court judge in Surrey ordered Michelle Larocque to reimburse ICBC more than $26,000 for lying about the circumstances of a crash that destroyed her father's vehicle. She was also fined $1,000, after pleading guilty to providing a false statement to ICBC under the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act.

Larocque was 19 years-old and had a Learner licence in August 2005 when she got behind the wheel of the leased 2002 Lincoln, alone. Under the Graduated Licensing Program, a Learner is required — whenever driving — to be accompanied by an adult aged 25 or older who has a valid Class 5 driver's licence.

The investigation determined Larocque crashed into another vehicle and later lied to ICBC about the mishap, claiming that she was not alone in the car. The other driver and three independent witnesses to the crash all told ICBC she was alone in the vehicle.

"Normally, ICBC would bring a separate court action against the driver to recover payments made on the insurance claim, " said Steven Tripp, Manager of ICBC's Special Investigations Unit. "But Provincial Court Judge Gulbransen ordered Ms. Larocque to pay restitution in the amount of $26,131. The message here, clearly, is that lying to avoid a hike in premiums or a fine just isn't worth it."

ICBC goes after fraudsters; we recommend criminal charges where appropriate, and take them to court to recover any dollars paid out for false claims.

The public can help combat fraud and help keep their auto insurance premiums low and stable. Anyone with information regarding a suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claim is encouraged to call ICBC's fraud tips line at 604-661-6844 or 1-800-661-6844, toll free from anywhere in the province. Callers can remain anonymous. 

ICBC's top five things to do after a car crash

On a typical day in B.C., 200 people are injured in 750 motor vehicle collisions (2008 ICBC data). That means there’s one crash approximately every two minutes. Experiencing a crash can be frightening and stressful to say the very least, so ICBC wants to ensure drivers are well prepared and know what to do if they’re in a crash.

Earlier this year, ICBC and its Autoplan brokers teamed up to launch a claims card - titled At the scene of a crash - to help customers remember all the vital information they need to gather in order to make a claim. The response from our customers has been very positive.

Here are ICBC's top five things to do after a crash:

1. Stop at the scene: If it's safe to do so and you aren't injured, pull over to the side of the road so you don’t block traffic and can safely exchange information with the other parties. If you can't get to a safe area to get out of your vehicle, then stay in it until assistance arrives.
2. Call 911: Your personal safety and well-being is most important. If you or others are seriously injured call 911.
3. Summarize the scenario: ICBC’s new claims cards, available at any Autoplan broker or ICBC Claim Centre, will remind you of the important information you’ll need to record at the scene, such as the date, time and location of the crash, the contact information of others involved, their vehicle’s make, model and licence plate number and insurance policy information. The card also allows you to sketch the crash scenario including the directions of travel and any nearby road signs or traffic lights. Click here to download a copy of this new claims card.
4. Gather additional information: Make sure you get contact information for any witnesses. Pictures can be more powerful than words. If you have a cell phone camera or a disposable camera in your glove box, take photos of the crash scene and the damage done to vehicle(s) or property.
5. Call Dial-A-Claim: ICBC’s Dial-A-Claim Centre is open 24/7 to provide you with hassle-free claims service. In the Lower Mainland call 604-520-8222; elsewhere in B.C. or outside call 1-800-910-4222. Try to report the crash as soon as you can. The claims representative will capture the details of the crash and tell you if you need to visit a claim centre or an autobody repair shop. If you've been injured, your wellbeing is the most important thing - you can ask a friend or family member to report the incident on your behalf. Once the claim has been reported, you can contact us later, when you’ve recovered.

ICBC is committed to being there for customers. An adjuster will help you with your claim - assessing your claim and explaining your insurance coverage and benefits. For more information, visit icbc.com.

Media Contact:
Adam Grossman
604-982-1332

ICBC urges grads to plan for a safe ride home

The top five smart driving tips for grad season

Youth throughout the province are gearing up to celebrate a very important milestone in their lives - graduation.

While it's an exciting time of year, ICBC is reminding graduates to celebrate safely by planning ahead and making smart decisions. Car crashes are the number one killer of youth in B.C. Unsafe speeds and alcohol are the top two contributing factors.

Here are ICBC's top five smart driving tips for getting home safely this grad season:

No. 1 - Plan ahead: Arrange for a safe way home. Make plans to have a designated driver. Treat yourself to a limousine or take a taxi, public transit or call a friend or family member for a ride home. On average, 1,500 youth are injured and 13 are killed during the months of May and June every year.*

No. 2 - Impairment starts with the first drink: not after youve had a few. The risk of crashing increases with each alcoholic drink. By the time you reach .02 you'll have difficulty attending to more than one task and maintaining your attention and alertness.

No. 3 - Buckle up: If you don't wear your seatbelt, you are 25 times more likely to be killed in a crash if ejected from the vehicle. In a 50 km/h head-on crash, a 150-pound adult not wearing a seatbelt will collide with other occupants, strike the inside of the vehicle or get thrown from the car with the same force as the weight of a 3½-ton truck.

No. 4 - Don't give in to peer pressure: Never get in a vehicle with an impaired driver. If you're the designated driver for the night, don't let your passengers influence your driving behaviour.

Next time you feel peer pressured, think of ICBC RoadSense Speaker John Westhaver's story.

Six weeks prior to graduation, Westhaver and two friends didn't discourage their sober driver from speeding while they were drinking and listening to loud music in the car. The driver lost control of the car and it swerved into a ditch, rolled several times and burst into flames. Westhaver was the only survivor, leaving him with burns to 75 percent of his body. The driver died instantly and his two other friends burned to death. John now shares his story with youth to raise awareness about safe driving and the power of making smart driving choices.

No. 5 - Be responsible and make smart driving decisions: Your smart decisions can have a significant influence on others. So set an example, whether you're a driver or passenger. Take a stand and don't let people drive if they are drinking alcohol. We all have the power of making smart decisions.

ICBC is committed to working with youth, parents, educators and community groups to help reduce crashes, identify the risks of the road and provide young drivers with strong decision-making skills.

For more information and helpful tips on road safety, visit www.icbc.com.

^{* Statistics are based on 2003 to 2007 ICBC and police data. Injuries are rounded to the nearest hundred and taken from ICBC data. Fatal counts are unrounded and taken from police data. Youth are defined as road users age 16 to 21 and include drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists.}

Media Contact:
Adam Grossman
604-982-1332

ICBC partners with eco car-sharing program

Take the dirty driver test for a chance to win a 2009 smart car

As part of its Drive Smart Save Green campaign, ICBC is partnering with CityFlitz for the Vancouver launch of its environmentally-friendly car-sharing program.

The launch event takes place on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, between 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Pacific Centre outside of the rotunda on the corner of West Georgia St. and Howe St. Come by at 12:30 p.m. for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

ICBC is currently the exclusive sponsor of CityFlitz’s six smart fortwos. CityFlitz allows drivers to rent a smart car for just $1 per day. All drivers must meet CityFlitz’s safe driver policy regarding speeding convictions, driving infractions and at-fault collisions.

Car-sharing is a great way to drive smart and save green. Changing dirty driving habits can save money on gas and also help the environment by lowering vehicle carbon emissions. Smart driving also helps to keep our roads safe.

Wondering if you are a dirty driver? Visit www.drivesmartsavegreen.com to take the dirty driver test and find out. You’ll be eligible to enter to win a 2009 smart fortwo coupe.

To learn more about how to save money on gas, help the environment and drive safer, visit www.drivesmartsavegreen.com. Try out the interactive calculator to determine the potential savings on fuel costs and carbon emissions. You can also sign up for e-mail updates featuring tips, videos, quizzes and contests.

To learn more about CityFlitz, visit www.cityflitz.com.

Media Contact:
Kathy Taylor
604-982-2480