ICBC and local police forces across British Columbia are pointing out that speed-related crashes causing injury or death are on the rise in the province.
ICBC says that with the weather warming up and we approach the summer months, there is an average of 141 speed-related crashes causing injury or death occurring every month, with those numbers expected to last through to the fall.
More specifically on Vancouver Island, ICBC says that there are, on average, 25 speed-related crashes causing injury or death occur every month now through summer.
As a result of the increased number of crashes, ICBC and police are launching a month-long campaign to warn drivers that driving too fast – even in ideal road conditions – can have tragic consequences.
Local police forces will be out targeting speeding drivers during the month of May and Speed Watch volunteers will also be set up in communities across the province, helping remind drivers of the speed they’re travelling.
“Road safety is a responsibility that we all share. When drivers make good choices to not engage in high-risk driving behaviours such as speeding, they are doing their part to make our roads safer together,” said Chief Superintendent Holly Turton, Vice-Chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee.
ICBC says that speeding remains the leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C. with eight people, on average, killed in crashes involving speed every month from May through September.
“We need everyone to do their part to shift the culture around dangerous and high-risk driving behaviours. Reducing your speed gives you more time to react and helps ensure that everyone on the road arrives at their destination safely,” says Lindsay Matthews, ICBC’s Vice-President of Customer Experience & Public Affairs.
ICBC adds that the month-long campaign being launched in May will include new education digital advertising and enforcement radio ads.
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