High-risk driving habits are the leading cause of close to half of vehicle crashes resulting in injury or death in B.C. That’s why ICBC, in partnership with local police agencies, is undertaking a high-risk driving campaign this month.
According to ICBC, speeding, failing to yield, ignoring traffic control devices, following too closely and improper passing contribute to 43 per cent of all collisions causing injury or death. In 2016, West Shore RCMP attended 187 collisions involving injuries, three of which resulted in fatalities.
Failure to yield the right-of-way, whether to other drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians or cyclists, is a leading cause of crashes in B.C., a point illustrated by the fact 1,300 pedestrians are injured or killed at intersections every year.
On Vancouver Island, high-risk driving accounts for more than 1,000 crashes a year, a number that has ICBC and police agencies stepping up enforcement.
West Shore RCMP Const. Alex Berube said it’s critical for drivers to pay full attention, because roadways are very dynamic environments where circumstances can change in a blink. “By taking your eyes off the road for even a moment, you increase the chance of a collision with potential injuries or in the worst case scenario, death,” he added.
Failing to yield, speeding and unsafe lane changes put everyone at risk, said Neil Dubord, chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic safety committee in a media release. “Police will be out in full force across the province this month looking for drivers who feel the rules don’t apply to them.”
For more information drive carefully to icbc.com/road-safety/crashes-happen/high-risk-driving.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com