West Vancouver Police step up enforcement on Labour Day long weekend — August 31

ICBC reminds drivers to chill, relax and focus

The West Vancouver Police Department (WVPD) and ICBC are warning all motorists to chill, relax and focus while driving this Labour Day long weekend. West Vancouver police will carry out extra enforcement during peak traffic-flow and high-crash time periods this weekend along major corridor routes, including Highway 1, Highway 99 and Cypress Bowl Road.

Police officers in both marked and unmarked vehicles will target aggressive drivers through speed and seatbelt enforcement using lasers, moving radars and stationary radars. Tickets will be issued for unsafe speed, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, occupant restraint violations and unsafe commercial vehicle violations.

"ICBC is concerned about aggressive driving and is committed to reducing the number of crashes to save lives. With the costs of claims rising, ICBC wants to ensure that insurance rates remain low and stable for our customers. We're asking all motorists to do their part by driving safely," said ICBC's Sue Carle, VP of the Lower Mainland region.

In addition, six-member police CounterAttack teams will conduct roving road checks at various locations throughout West Vancouver to ticket drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. Motorists are warned that road checks may occur at anytime and along corridor routes or local roadways.

As part of their partnership with ICBC on their two-month aggressive driving and intersection safety campaign, the WVPD conducted enhanced enforcement to ticket aggressive drivers this summer. In July, the WVPD issued approximately 367 tickets for various speeding offences; 22 tickets for lane change violations; eight tickets for disobeying yellow/red traffic signals; 75 tickets for disobeying stop/traffic signs; 12 tickets for following too closely; 16 tickets for occupant restraint violations; three tickets for driving without due care and attention; 26 tickets for other moving violations; and 136 tickets for other non-moving violations.

"West Vancouver police are committed to making roads safer and reducing the number of crash-related injuries and fatalities," stated Sgt. Cal Shamper, WVPD's traffic section. "Through enhanced enforcement this weekend, we will be cracking down on aggressive driving, but, drivers are reminded to take responsibility by being safe and considerate on the road," continued Shamper. In addition to this weekend's enforcement activities, the WVPD will be conducting extra enforcement and CounterAttack activities during the rest of the year.

For more information contact:
Tom Webster
604-230-1964

ICBC, police and Speed Watch groups target Lower Mainland corridors Motorists urged to slow down — August 24

ICBC, police and volunteer Speed Watch groups throughout the Lower Mainland will be targeting speeding motorists along high-traffic corridors on Wednesday, August 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This corridor blitz - part of ICBC's summer-long aggressive driving and intersection safety campaign - is a reminder for drivers to chill, relax and focus while on the road.

More than 30 Speed Watch groups from West Vancouver to Chilliwack will be working with police to crack down on speeding. This two-strike operation combines Speed Watch's reminder to slow down with police enforcement. The first strike occurs when drivers speed past a speed-reader board. If drivers continue to speed past the police checkpoint - the second strike - they will receive a traffic ticket.

Research shows that 70 per cent of drivers who travel more than 10 km/hr over the speed limit slow down when they see a speed-reader board. However, drivers who don't slow down or drive dangerously will pay heavy fines.

"ICBC is concerned about aggressive driving and is committed to reducing the number of crashes to save lives. With the costs of claims rising, ICBC also wants to ensure insurance rates remain low and stable for our customers. Motorists are asked to do their part by driving safely," stated ICBC's Sue Carle, vice president, Lower Mainland region.

In the Lower Mainland, aggressive driving is a causal factor in approximately 45 per cent of all crashes, according to police data. Common "aggressive" driving actions include speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, and running red lights and stop signs.

As part of their partnership with ICBC on this campaign, Lower Mainland municipal police forces and RCMP detachments have been conducting enhanced enforcement to ticket aggressive drivers throughout July and August. In July, Lower Mainland RCMP traffic units issued approximately 8,529 tickets including 1,407 tickets for intersection offences, 3,702 tickets for unsafe speed offences and 1,128 tickets for seatbelts offences.

"The RCMP strongly support ICBC's campaign since reducing aggressive-driving related fatalities and injuries is one of our major priorities in the Lower Mainland," commented RCMP Inspector Norm Gaumont, OIC "E" Division traffic services. "We've committed additional resources for targeted enforcement of violations that contribute to intersection collisions since around one-half of Lower Mainland collisions occur at intersections. Motorists can be part of the solution by choosing to drive with caution and courtesy at intersections," continued Gaumont.

Since July, the Vancouver Police have issued around 12,000 tickets, including tickets for aggressive driving infractions. "Combating the aggressive driving issue is also a priority for the Vancouver Police Department (VPD)," stated Inspector Andy Hobbs of the VPD traffic section. "So far this year, Vancouver has had 8 pedestrian fatalities and, unfortunately, many were victims of aggressive driving. The VPD will continue its targeted enforcement projects in Vancouver with the goal of reducing the number of fatalities and injuries," continued Hobbs.

ICBC loss prevention coordinators, Speed Watch volunteers and police will be at the corridor locations listed below for photo opportunities and interviews on Wednesday, August 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tips to avoid becoming an aggressive driver:

• Be realistic about your travel time. Factor in possible delays due to traffic, construction and weather.
• If you're running behind schedule, take a deep breath and accept the delay. It is better to arrive late than not at all.
• Slow down and keep your distance.
• Be courteous.

For more information contact:
Kim Thé
604-833-3586
Eric Green
604-240-8108

Car thieves at work in Duncan — August 2

Duncan, B.C. - ICBC and local police want to make the public aware of a significant increase in stolen Honda vehicles in the Cowichan Valley. The majority of the thefts involve 1980's and 1990's model Hondas; however some newer models have also been reported stolen.

"It appears we have a number of car thieves targeting these vehicles in the area," comments ICBC's Community Manager for Duncan and the Cowichan Valley, Paul McNicholls. "ICBC along with the local RCMP are working together and ask the public for their cooperation and assistance."

ICBC strongly recommends that all vehicle owners take measures to protect their cars. The most effective tool in auto crime prevention is a vehicle immobilizer. An immobilizer will shut down your vehicle's ignition system if a thief tries to compromise the ignition system without the immobilizer key. Vehicle alarms can also be effective, as can a steering wheel lock.

"In addition to reminding vehicle owners to take precautions to protect their investment, we also want to communicate to the public and especially to these thieves that local police will be using every tool at their disposal to put an end to this rash of incidences," says local RCMP spokesperson, Darren Lagan. "The Bait Car program is alive and well on Vancouver Island and you never know when you steal a car if it is a bait car or not."

The Bait Car program was expanded to Vancouver Island in 2005 and has been credited with assisting the police in achieving a decline in auto crime. In 2005, there was a 20 per cent decrease in auto theft claims on Vancouver Island.

According to ICBC's list of the Top 25 Stolen Vehicles in B.C., older model Hondas are ranked number two, four and 16. For a complete list and more auto crime information, go to http://www.icbc.com/crime-fraud

For more information contact:
Doug McClelland (604) 982-2476

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