The aftermath of one of the crashes on Gillespie Road in Sooke on Feb. 8, 2019.
The B.C. government is increasing the reporting threshold for collisions with only property damage in an effort to clear traffic faster.
Currently, police officers who go to a property-damage-only collision have to complete a written report before any vehicles can be removed from the road if the damage exceeds $1,000 ($600 for motorcycles, $100 for bicycles). The new threshold is now $10,000 per property-damage-only collision, regardless of the vehicle type.
“Having traffic back up because of a minor collision where nobody was hurt doesn’t help anyone – and worse, it can lead frustrated drivers to take steps that are unsafe,” Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general, said in a statement.
“Today’s increase in the damage threshold for these kinds of crashes is long overdue and will allow people and police officers to move damaged vehicles out of the way without delay.”
The threshold took effect on Friday. Police will still file a mandatory, written report with ICBC for every crash they attend that results in death or injury.
“Police officers will continue to attend collisions involving minor property damage at their discretion – for example, if questions arise about driver impairment or who’s at fault,” Chief Const. Neil Dubord, chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police traffic safety committee. “However, lifting the threshold for mandatory, written reports when officers do attend will help clear crash scenes much more quickly. In turn, it may lower risks for those working at the scene and motorists alike.”
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