Tuesday, November 11, 2008

INTERSECTION CAMPAIGN IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Police target dangerous
behaviours at intersections

More than 270 crashes happen at intersections every day

B.C.'s Solicitor General John van Dongen joined police and ICBC this morning to kick off a month-long campaign to reduce intersection crashes across B.C.

Following a media briefing at the Vancouver Police Department's headquarters, media were invited to the intersection of 41st and Knight Street where plain-clothes officers targeted the most common driving behaviours that lead to intersection crashes.

"We all need to take responsibility for our driving behaviour if we want our roads to be safer," said Solicitor General John van Dongen. "The province, police, ICBC and community volunteers are doing their part by stepping up efforts to reduce intersection crashes and save lives."

Since 2003, more than one million drivers have been involved in an intersection crash. "More than 40 per cent of all police-attended crashes in B.C. occur at intersections. That's simply too many. Province-wide, the police will be targeting drivers that choose to exhibit these dangerous behaviours," said Inspector Norm Gaumont, Traffic Services.

Intersection crashes also include collisions involving pedestrians. According to a five-year average (2003-2007), approximately 1,600 pedestrians are injured and 27 are killed in intersection-related incidents each year.

"Many people think tailgating or failing to yield are harmless. The fact is, they cause crashes that can injure or kill people," said Road Safety director Nicolas Jimenez. "Driving smart means really thinking about consequences. Small changes can have really positive impacts-on you and others."

The campaign features radio and television advertisements reminding drivers to drive smart. Also during the campaign month, police will increase enforcement at high-crash locations in communities across the province.

The fewer and less severe the crashes, the safer B.C. roads will be, which also translates into low and stable auto insurance rates for ICBC customers. This campaign runs through the month of November. For more information, visit http://www.icbc.com/road_safety/crash_location.asp




RCMP PARTNER WITH ICBC
INTERSECTION CAMPAIGN



To view four videos which demonstrate the types of behaviour this campaign is trying to address use this Nanaimo Info LINK.

The RCMP is partnering with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and other police agencies in BC in launching the Intersections Campaign. The Campaign intends to increase public awareness of the consequences of dangerous driving behaviours at or near intersections while police agencies work together to reduce intersection crashes, which will save lives and reduce injuries.


Five most common driver behaviours that caused crashes at intersections in 2007:

  1. Failing to yield the right of way – e.g. turning left against oncoming traffic.
  2. Disobeying a traffic control device – e.g. rushing to get through that yellow as opposed to stopping if we’re able to do so safely.
  3. Tailgating
  4. Driver error
  5. And, lastly, speeding – which becomes even more dangerous as we head into the winter months, particularly in the Northern region of the province or in the Southern Interior

The campaign will run through the month of November during which police will increase enforcement at high-crash locations in communities across the Province.




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