Speeders targeted in month-long campaign — April 29

8,200 speed-related crashes were reported in 2006

BURNABY, B.C. - An $800,000 speed and high-risk driving awareness campaign was launched today to focus B.C. drivers' attention on their role in making roads safer.

The month-long campaign by ICBC and police includes enhanced speed enforcement, volunteer Speed Watch deployments in high-crash locations, and advertising in communities across the province.

"Crashes due to speeding, tailgating and running lights are completely preventable," said Solicitor General John van Dongen. "The Province, police, ICBC and community volunteers are stepping up efforts to reduce these crashes and save lives. But the truth is, we can't do it without every driver in British Columbia getting on board."

Speeding is one of the biggest factors in high-risk driving crashes. Approximately 5,200 people were injured in 8,200 speed-related crash incidents in 2006. The solicitor general, the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles and other road-safety partners are asking drivers to modify their own behaviour and to encourage friends and loved ones to do the same.

"Aggressive driving (speeding) is one of the major causes of fatalities and the RCMP will be vigorously enforcing the law, especially through intersections in large urban centres," says Insp. Norm Gaumont, Traffic Services. "We will also focus on motorcyclists, as the RCMP have observed a 100 per cent increase in motorcycle deaths over the past 10 years."

Speed Watch helps reduce speed-related crashes by making drivers more aware of the actual speed they are traveling at. Police often deploy down the road from the Speed Watch volunteers, and motorists who don't slow down face the possibility of getting a ticket.

"We see the results of speeding first hand every day," says ICBC Road Safety Director Nicolas Jimenez. "So we're asking drivers to do their part to make our roads safer, by changing bad habits such as speeding."

Auto insurance rates are directly impacted by the number and severity of crashes. ICBC wants to keep insurance rates low and stable and motorists can do their part by slowing down and driving safely.

The campaign runs from May 1 to 31. For more information, visit High-risk driving behaviour online.

Media Contacts:
Cindy Kralj
Tel: 604-315-1430

Michelle Hargrave
Tel: 250-212-5119

ICBC CEO Paul Taylor moving to private sector — April 4

North Vancouver: ICBC Chief Executive Officer Paul Taylor is moving to a new position in the private sector, T. Richard Turner, ICBC Board Chair, announced today.

"Earlier today, before the Board meeting with the Minister, I met with Mr. Taylor, who advised me that he has chosen to leave the corporation on his own volition to pursue a new opportunity in the private sector," said Turner. "On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Paul for his tremendous service to ICBC. He has and continues to have the full and unqualified support of the ICBC Board."

Mr. Taylor will stay on as CEO until May 2nd; however, the details of his new position will be announced on Monday, April 7th.

"Mr. Taylor's move to the private sector was his decision and the Board is deeply disappointed that he is leaving. Paul has been a strong, dedicated and visionary leader for ICBC, and a man of utmost integrity," said Turner.

"I also want to emphasize the Board has full confidence in ICBC's senior management team who will manage the business while we launch a search for the new CEO," added Turner. "We have a great executive team and our employees are working extremely hard to provide outstanding levels of service to BC's drivers."

As Mr. Taylor is leaving ICBC voluntarily, there are no severance provisions associated with his decision to depart the company.

Media Contacts:
Zdenka Buric
Tel: 604-691-7390
Cell: 604-619-4344

Auto crime enforcement month to focus on preventing more 'stolen lives' — April 1

During the month of April, the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team, (IMPACT) and police forces across B.C. will ramp up enforcement efforts to arrest more car thieves, drive down auto theft and prevent more lives from being stolen.

Auto Crime Enforcement Month was held at a high school because of the serious impact auto crime has on youth. Of the 59 people who have died in the last 8 years because of auto theft, more than half were 25 years or younger. The award winning Stolen Lives video, showing that illicit drug use and stealing cars are a tragic combination, is now available in every secondary school in British Columbia.

Since auto theft peaked back in 2003, we have seen a drop of 38 percent province wide, largely as a result of targeted enforcement and emerging technology. But we also need to recognize that far too many people still die in stolen cars, or they are hit by them because of speeding, reckless driving, drug use, or a combination of all those factors. Thus the focus of the campaign this month is putting a stop to more senseless deaths.

The Bait Car program has been a huge success but also making a mark in reducing auto crime is the Automatic Licence Plate Recognition technology (ALPR). Covert police vehicles equipped with on-board cameras and computers are deployed throughout the Lower Mainland searching for stolen vehicles. Police dogs are often used to catch car thieves who think they can run from police, and the Air One helicopter, since it went fully operational in July, 2006, has played a role in the arrest of 147 people.

"This year's Top 10 Most Wanted Car Thieves list is probably the best one we have ever released, and our goal is to capture all of them during the April Auto Crime Enforcement campaign," said IMPACT's Sergeant Gord Elias. "The public plays an important role in locating these people by calling in information on their whereabouts to their local police department."

ICBC provides funding support and promotes enforcement activities that reduce vehicle theft in BC including the bait car program, Air One and Automatic License Plate Recognition. "These programs have been very successful in reducing the cost of auto crime," said Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC's director of road safety.

Media Contacts:
Sgt. Gord Elias
Media Relations Officer
IMPACT
Tel: 604-598-4456
Cell: 604-833-4401

Doug Henderson
Corporate Communications
ICBC
Tel: 604-982-1332
Cell: 604-786-2579

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