Road safety partners to unveil rollover simulator — April 13

Graphic device demonstrates the value of wearing a seatbelt

Seatbelt skeptics witnessed first-hand what happens to unbelted occupants in a rollover collision at the launch of the rollover simulator at Hollywood Education Centre today.

Imagine a truck cab mounted on a spindle. Now imagine what would happen to unbelted passengers in the truck if it entered a 48 km/hr rollover crash. Local students and members of the media were on site as two adult-sized dummies inside the simulator pitched violently around the cab before being ejected.

"This graphic example illustrates the tremendous force exerted on the human body during a crash and drives home the message that seatbelts save lives," said Inspector Randy Kolibaba, RCMP. "We want British Columbians to understand that not wearing a seatbelt is dangerous - and it's against the law."

The groundbreaking rollover simulator project is sponsored by Autoplan brokers, ICBC and the RCMP. These partners share a commitment to reducing preventable traffic deaths and injuries through the regular use of seatbelts.

The educational component of the seatbelt campaign, One Click was piloted last week with a group of leadership students at OKM Secondary. Seen as leaders among youth, the OKM students were the first to view the presentation and all agreed that the program made them more aware of the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

The rollover simulator will travel to high schools throughout the Southern Interior in the coming months. Prior to viewing the rollover simulator, high school students will view a multimedia presentation which is geared toward educating youth about the importance of seatbelts. In addition to traveling to high schools, the rollover simulator will debut at numerous public events throughout the year.

"Autoplan brokers are committed to road safety," said Robin Durrant, partner, Capri Insurance. "Wearing a seatbelt increases your chance of surviving a crash by 50 per cent. It is critical that we get this message across, especially to BC youth, who we know are often tempted to take unnecessary risks."

For more information:

Geoff Koganow, ICBC
(250) 979-4642 or (250) 215-1441

Christine Ulmer, Autoplan Broker Road Safety Program
(250) 979-4613 or (250) 215-4521

Rollover Simulator — April 13

• One Click is a two part seatbelt education program that consists of a multi-media presentation and a rollover simulator device.
• One Click is funded by Southern Interior Autoplan Brokers and ICBC. The program cost $31,000.
• The rollover simulator originated with a K-Division RCMP program in Alberta called Buckle Up Beaumont. The program incorporated the use of a rollover simulator and an educational video to demonstrate the importance of wearing a seatbelt.
• ICBC data shows that the seatbelt wearing rate among drivers in the Southern Interior increased from 78% in 2003 to 87.6% in 2005.
• Car crashes are the number one killer of youths in British Columbia.
• Based on surveys in 2004 and 2005, Transport Canada found the overall seatbelt wearing rate in Canada is 90.5%. In urban areas of British Columbia the wearing rate is 91.9% and in rural areas the rate is 86.0%.
• In 2004 (the most recent data available), 56 youths aged 13-21 were killed in car crashes in BC.
• Males under 25 have the lowest seatbelt wearing rates.
• ICBC estimates that for each one per cent increase in the seatbelt wearing rate in the Southern Interior, approximately $304,000 in annual claims costs could be saved. Additionally, more lives would be saved and catastrophic injuries averted.
• The One Click presentation for schools contains graphic materials and is best suited for a target audience of youths aged 15-18. A second presentation is being developed for younger audiences and the general public.

Road Improvements make school zone safer — April 11

Harrison Hot Springs Elementary School students are enjoying a safer walk to and from school, thanks to a newly constructed sidewalk on Walnut Avenue.

The improvements were completed in March with ICBC, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs and the Fraser Cascade School District each sharing one third of the $6000 cost.

The new sidewalk runs along the south side of Walnut Avenue, between Harrison Hot Springs Road and the school. Previously, students either had to walk on grass or on the road itself. Students often chose to walk on the road, especially during rainy weather.

The village recognized the need for improvements around the school. At the community's request, ICBC staff completed a safety review identifying ways to reduce the risk to students walking to and from the school.

"Keeping our streets and school zones safe is one of the most important things we can do," says Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Leo Facio. "By being proactive about road safety measures such as this, we're helping take care of the kids in our community."

To improve visibility and traffic flow around the school, the Village has banned parking on certain parts of Walnut Avenue. Individual motorists can do their part as well, by not making illegal u-turns near the school, not crossing the centre of the road to stop, and not parking on the wrong side of the road.

Parents are reminded to plan ahead and allow extra time when dropping their kids off, or to walk their kids to school. "Parents play a vital role in their kids' safety, and we're asking them to be our fourth partner in making the roads near Harrison Hot Springs Elementary School safer," says Mike Weightman of ICBC's Loss Prevention Department.

Last year, ICBC's Road Improvement Program provided more than $8.5 million in funding for studies and improvements to roads across the province, including approximately $2.3 million throughout the Fraser Valley. The program works in partnership with municipalities and the Ministry of Transportation.

For more information contact:
Eric Green
604-592-6419

Copyright © 2008 ICBC - Insurance Corporation of British Columbia