Community Crash Reduction Challenge winners crowned — November 22

Communities with greatest crash reduction win

The results are in and Kamloops, Kitimat, Fernie, Port McNeill, and Wells are the community winners in this year’s Zero Crash Month in October.

As well, seven individual British Columbians were selected as prize winners from the nearly 55,000 who took the safe-driving challenge in October. The grand prize was $35,000 toward the purchase of a new car.

ICBC, the provincial government and local police forces designated October as Zero Crash Month and challenged communities and individuals to reduce motor vehicle crashes.

“I am pleased to see the dedication and commitment to road safety that communities across the province showed during the campaign,” said the Honourable John Les, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “This government is committed to making B.C. roads safer and will continue to look at innovative ways to improve safety.”

There were 172 communities that signed up for the Challenge. Communities with the largest percentage decrease in crashes involving their residents - when compared to a five-year average for October - won road safety grants. The winners in each category are:

Community	Population	Road safety grant	Percentage reduction
Kamloops	over 40,000	$35,000	30%
Kitimat	10,000 to 40,000	$25,000	47%
Fernie	5,001 to 10,000	$18,000	48%
Port McNeill	1,501 to 5,000	$10,000	74%
Wells	1,500 or less	$5,000	100%

ICBC was predicting 22,000 crashes would take place this October. However, preliminary results show approximately 3,600 fewer crashes — a 16 per cent drop — in a month that usually sees a large number of collisions that are partially due to the arrival of poor weather conditions. These crash numbers will increase as people continue to report October collisions to ICBC.

“Crashes affect everyone and every community,” said Paul Taylor, ICBC president and CEO. “The preliminary results are great news and show that individuals and communities can make a difference in reducing the harm on our roads. The challenge now is for individuals to look long term and think about driving safely all the time and that will help to keep insurance rates low and stable.”

Individual prize winners could not have any at-fault collisions or traffic convictions for the month of October. In addition to the grand prize, there were five sets of new tires worth up to $2,000 each and a new $1,000 bicycle. The 2005 winners were:

• Mel Farrell, Lake Country — $35,000 toward the purchase of a new car from one of B.C.’s New Car Dealers.
• Gale Hills, Telkwa; Barbara Paugh, Cranbrook; Loretta Kane, Richmond; Raymond Briede, Maple Ridge; and Crystall Angela Borton, Victoria — $2,000 set of Nokian tires, courtesy Kal Tire
• Roy Ehlers, Penticton — $1,000 bicycle, courtesy Dizzy Cycles.

For more details on the challenge results, including community crash results visit www.zerocrashmonth.com.

Additional Contacts:
Deborah Johnson ICBC Greater Vancouver Region 604-296-1539	Marion Phillips ICBC Southern Interior & North/Central 250-979-4618
Nina Moroso ICBC Vancouver Island 250-414-7883	Eric Green ICBC Fraser Valley Region 604-592-6419

 

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

Poor weather calls for RoadSense — November 8

November in B.C. means a range of driving conditions that could challenge the best driver. Wind, heavy rains and fog are common in the southern area of the province, while other regions and higher elevations are recording significant snowfalls. ICBC is urging motorists to adjust their driving behavior so they are equipped to meet the season’s conditions.

Keep the following safety tips in mind while navigating fall roads:

• Allow plenty of time to get to your destination. Wet or icy roads, fog, and snow call for driving speeds below the posted speed limit.
• Maintain a safe distance between cars. It can take as much as three times the normal following distance to stop on a slippery road.
• Ensure your vehicle is ready for winter. Check tire tread. Don’t drive on bald or badly worn tires.
• Use tires appropriate for your area’s road conditions and the type of driving you are going to be doing. If you live in an area that regularly receives snow or you drive in winter conditions, then your vehicle should be outfitted with snow tires.
• Check your windshield wipers to ensure they can cope with heavy rain or snow.
• Never use cruise control on slippery or snowy roads.
• To avoid hydroplaning slow down when rainfall is heavy or storm water is standing on the road. Ensure your tires are in good shape and properly inflated. Good tire tread pushes water out from under the tires to the sides providing better tire to road surface traction
• If you find yourself beginning to slide on snow or ice, don’t panic. Ease off the accelerator, then gently apply brake pressure and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Be ready to correct for a slide in the opposite direction.

For more information on winter driving, tips and other information to keep you safe on the road, visit www.icbc.com.

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

Pedestrians advised to “Walk Safe” — November 1

Walking is considered an important part of a healthy lifestyle -- but it can also be a dangerous activity. In 2004, there were over 2,100 pedestrian-related crash incidents reported to ICBC. That same year, police attended 65 pedestrian fatalities. That’s why ICBC is advising pedestrians to “Walk Safe.”

With the fall season approaching, pedestrians should take extra care when using the streets, advised Greg Wirch, an ICBC provincial loss prevention program manager. “Police reports indicate 45 per cent of fatalities occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.,” Wirch said. “With the arrival of shorter days and inclement weather conditions, it’s important that pedestrians use greater caution when crossing roads, and ensure they can be seen at all times.”

The danger zone for pedestrians is intersections. Based on police reports, over half of all pedestrian-related crashes occur at intersections and about one quarter take place at crossings with signal lights. ICBC statistics show that the majority of incidents occur in the heavily urbanized areas of Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley, but rural roads also pose a problem. Often the severity of pedestrian injuries on rural roads is greater due to road conditions and unsafe speed.

Police attribute the leading causes of driver error in a pedestrian incident to failing to yield the right of way when turning and to driving without due care.

On average, ICBC pays out over $100 million in pedestrian claims annually.

Tips for pedestrians:

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

Tips for drivers:

• Always be alert for pedestrians, especially at intersections.
• 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.

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

ICBC reports third quarter net income of $195 million — November 1

Rising cost of injury claims an area of significant concern

ICBC has reported net income of $195 million for the first nine months of 2005, down from $317 million for the same period last year.

Despite the drop in net income, ICBC’s year-to-date financial results are positive. The company’s earned premium revenue is growing, investment income has been very strong and operating costs continue to be low. However, the rising cost of claims is an area of significant concern.

Claims and related costs for the nine months ending September 30, 2005 were $2.1 billion, including a $70 million negative adjustment for prior years’ claims. Current year claims costs have increased 7.4 per cent.

“Increases in the average cost of injury claims are an issue,” said Paul Taylor, ICBC’s president and CEO. “The trend has been emerging for a couple of years, and it is now becoming clear that the rising cost of bodily injury claims is an area of significant concern. This affects the basic, compulsory insurance side of ICBC’s business in particular as more than three-quarters of the cost of all of the injury claims that ICBC handles is covered by basic insurance.”

The actuarial information contained in ICBC’s current filing with the BCUC indicates that rates for basic insurance should increase by 4.2 per cent for 2006. However, ICBC is proposing no change in basic rates for 2006. The company will instead focus its attention over the next several months on getting a better understanding of this emerging trend and options for mitigating the rising costs. ICBC is able to defer a rate increase for basic insurance due to adequate capital levels being available.

“ICBC is working to identify strategies which will help mitigate the impact of rising costs for injury claims,” said Taylor.

Insurance premiums earned in the first nine months of 2005 were $2.34 billion, which compares to $2.26 billion for the same period in 2004. This increase is primarily due to increases in the amount of optional coverage purchased by customers and an increase in the number of insured vehicles on BC’s roadways.

ICBC’s investments made a significant contribution to net income in the first nine months of 2005, increasing to $412 million from $291 million for the same period last year. Income from investments helps keep insurance rates low. In 2004, ICBC’s investment income reduced the average premium by $140.

ICBC has continued to keep operating costs low for the benefit of customers. Operating costs continue to be more than 20 per cent lower than in 2000.

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

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