New convenient hours for ICBC customers — November 2

Victoria Driver Licensing Centre and Claim Centre extend hours

ICBC’s customers now have more choice as the Victoria Driver Licensing Centre and Victoria Claim Centre are open longer hours.

“ICBC is listening to its customers to identify ways to improve its products and services,” said John Story, Director, Vancouver Island region. “Our customers have told us they would like more options for when they can conduct business with ICBC and access our services outside their working hours.”

The Victoria Driver Licensing Centre, located at #1 – 1150 McKenzie Avenue, offers a range of driver licensing services including licence renewals, change of address, and knowledge testing during the new hours: Monday and Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Road tests will be available Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

For claims customers, the Victoria Claim Centre located at 425 Dunedin Street, is also open longer hours. Customers can visit the Victoria Claim Centre Monday to Thursday, 7:00 am – 7:30 pm or Friday, 7:00 am – 4:30 pm.

Any new claim should first be reported through ICBC’s 24-hour Dial-A-Claim service at 1-800-910-4222 or online at www.icbc.com.

ICBC is committed to meeting its customers’ needs and provides a large number of resources and services to provide quality service. Some of these include:

• 24-hour Dial-A-Claim service, 365 days a year. Claims may also be reported through www.icbc.com.
• A network of 40 claim centres throughout the province.
• Express Repair and Glass Express – after phoning in a claim, qualified customers go directly to their body or glass shop, bypassing the need to attend a claim centre.
• Driver services centres – 16 full-service driver licensing centres throughout BC and five Expressway centres.
• Over 900 brokers province-wide – a network of experienced, knowledgeable insurance experts to maximize customer satisfaction when purchasing or renewing insurance.
• Fairness process – customers have a number of avenues that they are encouraged to pursue if they aren’t satisfied with a decision.
• Claims process resources – ICBC’s website has a wealth of resources to help customers better understand the claims process and help them with the best possible results.
• ICBC c.a.r. shops – work done at ICBC-accredited repair shops is guaranteed and meets high standards for safety and quality.

For more information on ICBC’s new hours of service and other customer service resources visit www.icbc.com.

Media contact:
Nina Moroso (250) 414-7883

Local Autoplan Brokers help kids buckle up — November 2

As a parent or caregiver, wading through the volumes of information about child safety can be a daunting task. And something that seems simple like an infant car seat or child booster seat can confuse even the most well-informed and vigilant parent. In fact, recent car seat clinic results have shown that as many as 90 per cent of child or infant car seats are either installed incorrectly or are inappropriate for the child.

Thankfully, Vancouver Island Autoplan Brokers are willing to help. Often an untapped source of road safety information in our communities on the Island, Autoplan Brokers are making an effort to raise awareness and encourage the proper usage of suitable vehicle safety devices for children.

During the month of November, every Autoplan Broker office on the Island and in Powell River will be giving away a child booster seat. Simply visit your neighbourhood office to enter the draw.

“There are a lot of child seats on the market and it is not always easy to match the right seat for the age and size of your child,” says Parksville Autoplan Broker, Peggy McGregor. “So we want people to know that we can help clear up the confusion and get their kids as safe as possible in their vehicle.”

One fact that often surprises parents is that Transport Canada is now urging parents to keep children in an approved booster seat until they are at least 8 years old and 80 lbs. And until a child is at least 12 years old, the safest place in a vehicle is always the back seat.

Local Autoplan brokers are sponsoring the Vancouver Island draws for booster seats through their involvement in the Autoplan Broker Road Safety Program, which is dedicated to making roads safer by helping fund and promote road safety initiatives throughout BC. For more information on the program, please visit your local Autoplan broker or click on www.roadsafety.ca

For more information contact:
Nina Moroso
Senior Communications Specialist, Vancouver Island (250) 414-7883

Vancouver Island better at “Buckling Up” — November 2

Results of ICBC’s seatbelt survery for 2005 show an overall improvement in the wearing rate for the motoring public on Vancouver Island. The last seatbelt survey, conducted in 2004 showed that on average, 84 per cent of people in the region were in compliance with seatbelt regulations. The recent survey indicates that number has risen to 88 per cent.

“While we are encouraged by the improvement and want to thank people on the Island for clicking in, we still have a way to go before we can be satisfied…especially in our rural communities”, says ICBC’s Regional Loss Prevention Manager, Lyall Woznesensky. “We need every person who gets into a vehicle to habitually put on their seatbelt regardless of how far they are going or how safe they believe that journey to be.”

Wearing a seatbelt in the event of a crash will double your chances of survival. And vehicle occupants are 25 times more likely to die if they are thrown from their vehicle in a crash. A seatbelt, particularly if used correctly in conjunction with an air bag, can prevent you from being ejected from your vehicle during a crash or from colliding with the vehicle interior, other occupants or the windsheild thus preventing serious injury and death.

And while the average wearing rate on Vancouver Island is better than the provincial average of 83.2 per cent (based on Transport Canada statistics for 2002/03), internal studies show that an increase in the wearing rate on Vancouver Island of just 1 per cent could potentially decrease annual injury claims by almost $200,000.00

In this recent survey, Port McNeil showed the lowest rate but was still up one per cent from last year at 68 per cent. Cobble Hill topped the survey results with 95 per cent of drivers and passengers buckling up.

The survey targeted all occupants of passenger cars, pick-up trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles. Observations were conducted at intersections with various traffic control devices, providing sufficient vehicle stopping time to observe occupants. A total of 38,144 ocupants were observed in 30 communities during the course of the study.

For more information contact:
Lyall Woznesensky (250) 729-3540

Campaign urges pedestrians to Walk Safe — November 1

November is historically one of the worst months for pedestrian injuries in the Lower Mainland. The shorter, darker and wetter days make driving conditions difficult and pose a hazard to pedestrians and motorists alike.

According to ICBC and police statistics, approximately 220 pedestrians were injured and four were killed last November in the Lower Mainland. Autoplan Brokers, Lower Mainland police and municipalities want to reduce these figures by encouraging everyone to Walk Safe.

The Autoplan Brokers and ICBC are sponsoring advertising which provides tips to pedestrians and motorists on how to prevent crashes. Ads targeted at pedestrians urge them to Walk Safe, while ads targeted at motorists remind themt to stay focused on the road. The ads will run throughout November in newspapers, transit and on the radio.

The campaign reminds pedestrians to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Pedestrians should always cross at intersections or marked crosswalks but even then, eye contact is crucial. “Even at a marked crosswalk, motorists may not see a pedestrian due to darkness, bad weather or distractions,” says Steve Sache, on behalf of Lower Mainland Autoplan Brokers. “Making eye contact before crossing ensures that they are prepared to give the pedestrian the right of way.”

“Pedestrians suffer the most serious consequences in a pedestrian-vehicle collision. Because of the weight and speed of vehicles, even a glancing blow can cause serious harm to the pedestrian,” says Inspector Norm Gaumont, OIC “E” Division, RCMP Traffic Services. “That’s why it is so important for pedestrians to take extra care to ensure their own safety.”

An integral part of the campaign is a contest that challenges people to test their ‘Pedestrian Safety IQ.’ Sponsored jointly by the Autoplan Brokers and coffee retailer Blenz, the contest asks participants to answer safety-related trivia questions. Correct responses are entered in a draw to win free coffee for a year. Contestants can enter at any of Blenz’ 35 locations in the Lower Mainland.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street, so you know they see you and they know you see them.
• Use designated crossing points and obey pedestrian traffic signs.
• Always be cautious and pay attention to traffic, as drivers may sometimes disobey traffic signals or not stop.
• Look left, right and left again before stepping off the curb.
• Wear bright-colored clothing or carry reflective articles, especially when walking at night.

Safety Tips for Drivers

• Always yield to pedestrians.
• Beware of pedestrians who appear indecisive or inattentive.
• Be alert to vehicles stopped in the lane next to yours. They may be yielding for a pedestrian.
• Beware of pedestrians still attempting to cross the street on a flashing orange pedestrian signal.
• Watch out for pedestrians when backing up your vehicle.
• Always be alert for pedestrians, especially at intersections.

For community specific pedestrian-related crashes in October contact your local ICBC representative.

For more information contact:
Aman Kainth (604) 871-2313
(Whistler, Sunshine Coast, Squamish,
West Van, North Van., Vancouver,
Burnaby, New Westminster, Tri Cities,
Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge)

Eric Green (604)592-6419
(Richmond, Delta, Surrey, White Rock,
Langley, Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack,
Hope, Boston Bar)

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