Road Safety a focus this Canada Day — June 30

Summer holidays can be a risky time on B.C. roads, as traffic increases and drivers are anxious to reach holiday destinations. That's why the provincial government and ICBC are reminding drivers to slow down and keep their distance over the Canada Day period.

“Drivers who speed, tailgate, make sudden lane changes and disregard traffic signals endanger everyone on the road,” said Solicitor General Rich Coleman. “From June 30 to July 5, police forces across the province will be stepping up enforcement to target unsafe speed and aggressive driving.”

Unsafe speed and driving without due care are the most common contributing factors to fatal crashes in B.C. According to police collision reports, 182 people died in crashes involving unsafe speed in 2002.

Motorists are encouraged to keep the following road safety tips in mind:

• If you're pressed for time, you may be tempted to drive more aggressively. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination, and plan your route to avoid traffic congestion.
• Ensure your vehicle is ready for summer heat and that all the tires, including the spare, are in good condition.
• Driving long distances can be very tiring. Make sure to build frequent rest and stretch breaks into your schedule. Avoid travel between midnight and 6 a.m., when darkness and fatigue can lull the driver to sleep.

For more driving tips and other information, go to www.icbc.com.

If you are involved in a crash and need to file a claim, ICBC's Dial-A-Claim service is open 24 hours a day, including holidays, at 604-520-8222 or 1-800-910-4222. You can also file your claim online at www.icbc.com.

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

Municipalities receive ICBC tax grants totaling $4.4 million — June 23

Thirty British Columbia cities, districts, and municipalities will receive ICBC grants in place of real property and business taxes totaling $4.4 million this year.

As a provincial crown corporation, ICBC is not required to pay business and property taxes. Instead, communities receive annual grants that are equal to the taxes that would be levied if ICBC were a private business.

Grants are paid to communities with ICBC claim centres, administrative offices, and storage and salvage yards. The municipal grants vary according to size and location of the premises, and differences in local mill rates.

The following is a list of 2004 ICBC grants in place of taxes paid:

Abbotsford $131,205
Burnaby $252,910
Campbell River $8,800
Chilliwack $78,032
Courtenay $94,620
Coquitlam $425,006
Cranbrook $12,475
Dawson Creek $10,195
Fort St. John $10,408
Kamloops $70,316
Kelowna $97,500
Langford $34,500
Langley $76,157
Maple Ridge $68,436
Nanaimo $126,875
New Westminster $219,561
North Vancouver (City) $966,378
North Vancouver (District) $149,629
Penticton $21,097
Prince George $109,978
Prince Rupert $15,565
Quesnel $12,235
Richmond $166,425
Smithers $42,165
Surrey $165,289
Terrace $19,605
Trail $38,455
Vancouver $788,554
Vernon $24,091
Victoria $204,500

For more information contact:
Doug Henderson 604-982-1332

Community Crash Reduction Challenge improves road safety — June 21

Early results indicate almost 15 per cent fewer crashes

A focus on safer behaviour on the road has shown positive results, with ICBC recording preliminary results of more than 2,000 fewer crashes in B.C. between May 5 and 27, 2004.

During this time, the provincial government, ICBC and Autoplan brokers challenged communities across B.C. to reduce crashes and road related harm by participating in the Community Crash Reduction Challenge.

“I am pleased that communities across the province showed their support for this initiative," said the Honourable Rich Coleman, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Safer streets and communities are a priority for this government and we will continue to focus on reducing crashes on our roads.”

There were 125 communities that officially signed up for the Challenge. Communities that saw the largest percentage decrease in crashes are being rewarded a grant that must be put toward a road safety project. The winners in each category are:

Village of Boston Bar Up to 1,500 population $ 5,000
District of Tofino From 1,501 to 5,000 $10,000
Town of Creston From 5,001 to 10,000 $18,000
Town of Sidney From 10,001 to 40,000 $25,000
City of New Westminster From 40,001 and up $35,000

“The Challenge was all about community pride and individuals taking responsibility for their driving behaviour,” said ICBC president and CEO, Nick Geer. “Although the number of crashes during the Challenge will increase as people report their crashes to ICBC, the preliminary results are great news. This shows that as individuals we can make a difference in making our roads safer and ensuring the lowest insurance rates possible.”

Individual prizes were awarded to those people who took the pledge to drive safely and avoided getting into an at-fault crash during the Challenge.

For more details on the Challenge results, including individual prize winners, go to the official Challenge web site at www.icbc.com.

For more information contact:
Doug Henderson 604-982-1332

Additional contacts:
Susan Bigelow 250-414-7915
Mabel Lee 604-296-1534
Marion Phillips 250-979-4618

ICBC Board commences search for new CEO — June 7

Executive search firm selected

ICBC's Board of Directors announced today that it has selected Ray & ; Berndtson Tanton Mitchell to assist with the search for a new chief executive officer. The current President and CEO, Nick Geer, is leaving ICBC at the end of June.

“ICBC is on a very sound financial and operational footing, and we will be looking for a new chief executive to lead the company through its next phase,” said T. Richard Turner, ICBC's Chair of the Board of Directors.

The Board expects that the search process will take a few months to complete. Effective July 1, Bill Goble, currently ICBC's chief operating officer, will serve as interim President and CEO while the search is underway.

During the search process, ICBC's executive team will continue with current plans, preparing for increased competition in the optional product lines, and continuing ICBC's focus on the customer.

Ray & ; Berndtson Tanton Mitchell is a leading executive search firm with offices across Canada and around the world.

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

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