Traffic signal gets power back up — December 22

New technology gets the green light in Langley

The Township of Langley and ICBC have teamed up to make the intersection of 88th Ave and 216th Street safer by adding a battery back up power supply system to the traffic signal.

On December 9, a new battery back up power supply system was added to the traffic signal to deal with power interruptions. The $7,500 cost was shared, with ICBC contributing $5,000 and the Township $2,500.

The intersection of 88th Ave and 216th Street was identified as the pilot site for this new technology because of its history of power outages and collisions. The new technology, combined with low energy LED lights for the traffic signal, will mean the lights will continue to operate for up to 12 hours in the event of a power outage.

"I applaud this partnership to put new technologies to work on our roads," said Solicitor General Rich Coleman, Minister responsible for ICBC. “Road improvement projects like this are part of ICBC's comprehensive approach to reducing crashes and saving lives. This project is another step forward as we continue to create safer streets and communities across the province."

According to Mayor Kurt Alberts, the new technology is a positive move in making roads safer in Langley for everyone. “The Township of Langley is proud to be leading the way in using this new battery back up system. We can see the potential for it to make this and other Langley intersections safer in the future,” says Alberts.

To find more information on ICBC's Road Improvement Program, visit www.icbc.com.

Additional contact:
Dan Mooney
Township of Langley
Engineering Technologist-Transportation
Ph: 604-533-6069

For more information contact:
Leanne Cassap (604) 533-7472

Hit-and-run driver pleads guilty — December 21

Local residents guilty of providing false information

A New Westminster resident has pleaded guilty to charges of providing false information to ICBC, as the result of a hit-and-run collision he was involved in.

Ahmad Reza Ahmadi of New Westminster appeared in court on November 30, 2004 and pleaded guilty to charges under the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act. Ahmadi was fined $1,500, and ordered to pay ICBC restitution of $816.83.

“ICBC has a zero tolerance policy for claims based on false information,” said Mark Withenshaw, ICBC vice president of loss management. “We feel that it is important that customers are made aware of the consequences of providing false information to their insurance company.”

On September 20, 2003 Ahmadi was driving a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer that was involved in a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Cambie and Dunsmuir in Vancouver. The Lancer fled the scene and was later reported stolen to the police and ICBC by Ahmadi.

After several interviews with investigators, Ahmadi admitted that the vehicle was never stolen and that he was driving the vehicle when it was involved in the collision.

“The cost of false claims is paid by the honest customers in the form of higher premiums,” said Withenshaw. “Fraud costs each of ICBC's 2.7 million customers approximately $150 per year.”

Anyone with information on a suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claim is encouraged to phone the ICBC Tips Line at 604-661-6844.

For more information contact:
Doug Henderson (604) 982-1332
Moira Wellwood (604) 982-2480

ICBC investigation leads to guilty plea — December 21

Local resident guilty of providing false information

A Maple Ridge resident involved in a hit-and-run collision has pleaded guilty to charges of providing false information to ICBC.

Kelly Grant Clancy of Maple Ridge appeared in court on December 8, 2004 and pleaded guilty to charges under the Insurance (Motor Vehicle) Act. Clancy was fined $350 for leaving the scene of an accident, and was fined an additional $1,200 for providing false information. He was placed on a $500 recognizance for a period of two months, with a condition that he only drive to and from work.

“ICBC has a zero tolerance policy for claims based on fraudulent information,” said Mark Withenshaw, ICBC vice president of loss management. “People need to be aware of the consequences of providing false information to their insurance company.”

On June 12, 2004, it was alleged Clancy's company vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run collision in Port Coquitlam. Clancy claimed that the vehicle had actually been stolen and later filed a claim with ICBC. Through further investigation it was revealed that the vehicle was not stolen and that Clancy was in fact the driver at the time of the collision.

“The cost of fraudulent claims is paid by the honest customers in the form of higher premiums,” said Withenshaw. “Fraud costs each of ICBC's 2.7 million customers approximately $150 per year.”

Anyone with information on a suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claim is encouraged to phone the ICBC Tips Line at 604-661-6844.

For more information contact:
Doug Henderson (604) 982-1332
Moira Wellwood (604) 982-2480

Even a little alcohol can have serious consequences — December 7

Get home safe

NANAIMO, B.C. - North Island and South Island Autoplan Brokers, local police agencies and ICBC are working together to prevent alcohol-related crashes during the holiday season.

In 2003, police identified approximately 4,700 impaired driving incidents that resulted in roughly 3,300 injuries in British Columbia. On Vancouver Island in 2003, police identified approximately 900 impaired driving incidents, resulting in 600 injuries. Alcohol is one of the top five factors in fatal and injury crashes.

“There are serious consequences to drinking and driving,” said Cindy de Ruiter, member of the North Island Autoplan Broker Road Safety Program. “We want the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities to decrease this holiday season.”

The campaign is aimed at increasing the public awareness about the consequences of impaired driving. Drivers are reminded that new measures have been introduced targeting impaired driving. Enhanced enforcement tools, increased penalties and rehabilitation for impaired drivers are part of the legislation that was announced earlier this year.

“You're putting yourself and others at incredible risk when you choose to drink and drive,” says Lyall Woznesensky, ICBC's Loss Prevention Manager for Vancouver Island. “You're risking everything from suspension and vehicle impoundment to serious injury or death to yourself and others.”

Here are some Get Home Safe tips that you can share with your friends and family:

• Refuse to ride with anyone who may be impaired
• Choose a designated driver before you go out
• Keep money aside for a cab or transit
• Call a friend for a ride

The Vancouver Island Autoplan Brokers have provided hooded sweatshirts to be given away by local radio stations across the region, so listen for your opportunity to win a Get Home Safe sweatshirt!

Visit ICBC's website at www.icbc.com for online information and services.

For more information contact:
Tamara McLean (250) 414-7883

ICBC opening Expressway driver service centre in Richmond — December 2

Extended hours mean easier access for customers

In order to provide faster, more efficient service for its customers, ICBC will open an Expressway driver service centre with extended hours of operation in Richmond in the new year.

“Richmond is one of the province's busiest centres for driver licensing,” said Sue Carle, ICBC regional vice president for the Fraser Valley region. “With a growing population stretching our services, some customers have faced inappropriate wait times at the existing Richmond driver licensing centre.”

The new office is scheduled to open February 1, 2005 in the Ironwood Plaza at the corner of Steveston Highway and No. 5 Road. It will operate 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Fridays, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

“Expedited public service is the goal,” said the Honourable Linda Reid, MLA for Richmond East and the Minister of State for Early Childhood Development. “We're well on the way with this announcement.”

The new office will offer Expressway service, similar to locations in Metrotown Centre in Burnaby, Coquitlam Centre, Guildford and Cloverdale. Customers can renew or replace licences, complete a driver licence change of address, pay or dispute fines, obtain a B.C. ID card, do lien searches or access their driver licence records at an Expressway, but cannot take knowledge or road tests there.

As simpler transactions are moved to the new centre, overall volume will decrease at Richmond's existing full-service centre at 5740 Minoru Boulevard, allowing better customer service at that location, too.

“I am pleased that ICBC is responding to customer demand,” said Richmond Centre MLA Greg Halsey-Brandt. “Extended hours will improve accessibility for customers who had difficulty accessing the existing service centre during working hours. It will also reduce the wait times experienced by all of us at the Minoru location. This is a great step forward for drivers in our city.”

In 2003, the Richmond driver service centre handled more than 114,000 transactions. That rate increased even more this year, with almost 90,000 transactions in the first three quarters of 2004.

ICBC is committed to being British Columbians' auto insurer of choice and providing superior licensing services through dependable and competitive service.

For more information contact:
Nancy Painter (604) 592-6420

Copyright © 2008 ICBC - Insurance Corporation of British Columbia