October 2008 news releases

Provincial news releases

ICBC Urges Drivers to be Extra-Cautious Next Week following Daylight Savings Time Adjustment — October 31
ICBC is reminding drivers to be cautious on Halloween — October 29
ICBC's 2010 Winter Games Licence Plates a big success — October 23
ICBC reminds drivers to use extra caution — October 20
Ford F-Series trucks now most stolen vehicles in B.C. — October 16
ICBC Board names new CEO — October 9

Provincial Government News

B.C. Auto thefts drop by nearly half since 2003 (PDF) — October 31

ICBC Urges Drivers to be Extra-Cautious Next Week following Daylight Savings Time Adjustment — _{(posted October 31)}

As British Columbians set back their clocks this Saturday for Daylight Savings Time (DST), ICBC is reminding drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to take extra care next week due to the grogginess some people may feel.

The time change can have a significant effect on some people's sleep patterns, resulting in a disruption to their circadian rhythms or 'biological clock.' When Daylight Savings ends, drivers have to adjust to a shorter day and commute in darker conditions. Combined with worsening weather and road conditions, it can be a dangerous combination. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians should remember to use caution and leave extra time to get to their destinations - particularly during the Monday commute.

Crash statistics illustrate a higher driving risk the first work day after Daylight Savings ends. According to the five year average (2003-2007), on the Monday following the fall time change there were 850 crash incidents, compared to 740 incidents the Monday before the time change.

According to the five year average, the first Monday after the fall time change saw a 15 per cent increase in crash incidents, and 17 per cent increase in casualties, compared to the Monday before the time change (2003-2007). The average cost to ICBC customers for crash incidents following the fall time change (2003-2007) was $6.3 million.

Here are some fall season driving tips:

• Reduced light conditions can make it more difficult to see pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. Drivers need to be especially vigilant.
• Use your headlights at all times to ensure you are visible to pedestrians and other vehicles.
• Make sure your headlights are clean (splattered mud can cloud them) and that all bulbs (both high and low beam) are working properly.
• Try to get to bed earlier - and to help yourself to fall asleep faster, exercise during the day, have a hot bath or shower before going to bed and treat yourself to a book and a warm glass of milk.
• Plan to take more time driving to and from work next week. The roads will be busy, and excessive speed is the number one cause of crashes.
• Slow down and keep your distance. It takes longer to stop on wet pavement or on pavement covered with leaves or mud.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kathy Taylor:
604-816-7983

ICBC is reminding drivers to be cautious on Halloween — October 29

With Halloween falling on a Friday this year, ICBC is reminding drivers, parents and trick-or-treaters to be extra-cautious and plan ahead.

Halloween is for kids, but it's also become one of the biggest party nights of the year for adults. That could make for a particularly dangerous combination this year as an unusually large number of drivers head out to Friday-night Halloween parties on streets filled with trick-or-treaters.

According to the five-year average (2003-2007), on Halloween night, between 3 pm and midnight there are approximately 390 crash incidents resulting in 140 injured victims on BC roads.

ICBC is also urging drivers to plan ahead for a busier than usual afternoon rush hour as people try to make their way home to begin their Halloween activities. Children will also be excited about Halloween as they hurry home from school and may not be thinking about their personal safety, so drivers need to be extra cautious.

Halloween is a night that demands special precautions from everyone. The following are tips for parents:

• If your children are under the age of ten, plan to accompany them;
• For older children, make them aware of the need to cross streets at corners, obey traffic signals and look both ways before crossing;
• Also warn them not to dart out into the street or cross in between parked cars;
• Dress them in light-coloured costumes and give them flashlights;
• Never let them wear a mask or costume that can restrict their vision.

Tips for drivers on Halloween:

• Slow down and be especially alert while driving in residential areas;
• Always yield to pedestrians;
• Expect the unexpected - remember that children can easily get caught up in the excitement of Halloween and forget to use caution while crossing the street or walking beside roads;
• Bear in mind that children may have very limited visibility while wearing masks and costumes. Never just assume they see you approaching;
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully and watch out for pedestrians when backing up;
• Be alert to vehicles stopped in the lane next to yours. They may be slowing down for trick-or-treaters you don't see or picking up/dropping off children.
• Plan a safe way home, such as a designated driver or taxi, if your Halloween activities will involve alcohol.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adam Grossman:
604-982-1332

ICBC's 2010 Winter Games Licence Plates a big success — October 23

More than 130,000 British Columbians are 'Behind the Drive' to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games

More than 130,000 British Columbians have shown their support for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by purchasing 2010 Winter Games Licence Plates from ICBC.

To continue to help British Columbians support the Games, ICBC has introduced Behind the Drive campaign that profiles Canadian Olympic Winter Games hopefuls and a previous Paralympic Winter Games medal winner.

"As a sponsor of the 2010 Winter Games, ICBC has a unique opportunity to help British Columbians show their support for BC's athletes and the Games by purchasing a 2010 Winter Games licence plate," said Jeff Schulz, ICBC vice-president of Strategic Marketing. "At the same time, we wanted to help profile some of BC's athletes and showcase what's behind their drive to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."

The athletes currently profiled in the Behind the Drive campaign include Vernon's Sonja Gaudet, a wheelchair curling gold medalist at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games in Torino; Jeff Kitura, a long track speed skater from Langley, and Richmond snowboarder, Alexa Loo. Other Canadian athletes will be profiled throughout the campaign.

The promotion also gives one lucky British Columbian a chance to win an invitation for two to attend a men's ice hockey event at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The Behind the Drive promotion runs until March 31, 2009 and is open to residents of British Columbia who are 19 years-old or over.

To thank 2010 Winter Games Plate holders, they can download ten free songs selected by the athletes themselves. More information on the campaign is available at www.behindthedrive.com .

"As we pass the 500 day mark on the road to 2010, British Columbians are clearly showing their pride in hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games through the continued success of ICBC's license plate program," said Dave Cobb, Executive Vice President of Revenue, Marketing and Communications at VANOC. "It is great to see so many British Columbians supporting the Games and our athletes through the purchase of the plates."

Motorists all over British Columbia are showing their support with approximately 84,543 plates sold in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, 16,049 sold on Vancouver Island, 21,271 sold in the Southern Interior and 8,615 sold in Northern B.C.

2010 Winter Games licence plates went on sale in April of 2007 and can be purchased from Autoplan brokers for an initial fee of $35 (annual renewal fee of $25 until 2012). They are available for passenger vehicles, motor homes, commercial trucks, commercial trailers, farm trucks, motorcycles, and utility trailers.

2010 Olympic Winter Games licence plates are an official licence plate and will continue to be valid beyond the Games. Customers are encouraged to retain the plates but if they choose to cancel their plate after December 31, 2010, they will get to keep the front licence plate as a souvenir in recognition of their support.

Additional information about 2010 Olympic Winter Games licence plates is available at local Autoplan broker offices or see 2010 Winter Games licence plates.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adam Grossman:
604-982-1332

ICBC reminds drivers to use extra caution — October 20

With the fall weather upon us, ICBC is reminding drivers to slow down.

In 2007, during the months of October and November, police reported approximately 780 crashes on BC's roads, in which bad weather (rain, snow, sleet or fog) was a contributing factor. These crashes resulted in approximately 490 casualties (injuries or fatalities).

While we've had some dry and favourable conditions recently, we've also experienced some wetter and colder days. With unpredictable weather it's important for drivers to adjust quickly to changing conditions that include fog as well as icy and slippery roads. All motorists are encouraged to check weather and road conditions before traveling long distances as conditions can vary widely across the province.

When the roads are wet, motorists are advised to:

• Slow down: It can take up to three times the normal stopping distance to come to a complete stop on a wet or slippery road.
• Turn off the cruise control: Wet roads can cause wheels to spin and lose control. The only way to stop wheels from spinning and maintain control is to immediately reduce power. An activated cruise control system applies continuous power, keeping the wheels spinning. By the time you disengage the cruise control it may be too late - you may have already lost control.
• Avoid flooded roads: Try to avoid driving, even at low speed, through a flooded area. Deep water can stall your vehicle's engine and reduce the vehicle's braking ability.
• Don't drive with bald or badly worn tires: Check your tires' tread, as well as ensure they are properly inflated.
• Winterize your vehicle and plan ahead: Vehicle maintenance is cost effective and ensures reliability. Also check road conditions before heading out. Remember, while it may be raining in the Lower Mainland there could be snow and icy road conditions at higher elevations, such as on the Coquihalla and Sea-to-Sky highways.
• Turn on low-beam headlights and wipers: Ensure you have optimal visibility of the road ahead, and that other motorists can see you.

If you're involved in a crash, ICBC is dedicated to providing a hassle-free claims experience. Claims can be reported ICBC's Dial-A-Claim centre 24 hours a day, 365 days per year:

Lower Mainland: 604-520-8222
Elsewhere in B.C.: 1-800-910-4222
Outside B.C.: 1-800-910-4222

ICBC also works with the auto repair industry to deliver excellent customer service, high quality repairs and to manage costs for the benefit of customers. ICBC has accredited more than 400 c.a.r. shop facilities across BC to ensure customers receive quality repair work that's guaranteed.

C.a.r. shop VALET facilities can also help with your transportation needs while your vehicle is being repaired. They'll even pick you up to exchange your vehicle and return it when repairs are finished, at no extra charge.

To locate a c.a.r. shop VALET near you, visit www.icbc.com.

Ford F-Series trucks now most stolen vehicles in B.C. — October 16

ICBC, police respond with immobilizer offer, more bait cars  

ICBC, the provincial government, and the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) have announced new approaches to reduce the theft of Ford F-Series trucks – now the most stolen vehicles in B.C.

While the theft rate for most vehicles has declined significantly over the last year, Ford F-Series trucks haven’t done as well. Thieves often target these vehicles because many are not immobilized. ICBC, the provincial government and IMPACT want to ensure drivers of these vehicles are using immobilizers to protect against auto theft.

"We have made great strides in reducing auto theft over the past five years in B.C.,” said Solicitor General John van Dongen. “By specifically targeting the most stolen vehicle in B.C., we believe we can build on our successes and further reduce vehicle theft and enhance public safety."

In 2007, Ford F-series trucks were the fourth most stolen vehicles in B.C. Now that they are in the number one spot, ICBC has launched a pilot project in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley to offer owners of non-immobilized 2000 to 2006 Ford F-Series trucks a free electronic immobilizer, up to a value of $160 including installation and tax. Letters will be mailed out this month to 2,200 owners of F-150s, F-250s and F-350s. Those receiving the offer will have until December 6, 2008, to book their installation at a participating retailer.

“Immobilizers are the best protection against auto theft and we are optimistic that this pilot project, along with the bait car program and other strategies, will help continue the downward trend in theft,” says Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC’s Road Safety director. “The average repair cost for a stolen Ford F-Series truck is more than twice that of the average stolen vehicle in B.C. By reducing thefts and claims costs, we can keep providing customers with low and stable rates.”

As part of this initiative, IMPACT is also increasing the number of Ford F-Series trucks in their bait car fleet. “We’re taking action to further bring down auto theft,” says Sgt. Gord Elias of IMPACT. “The theft of Ford pick-ups often leads to significant public safety issues – thieves target these powerful trucks because they know how to steal them and often use them to commit other serious crimes. Now we are expanding the net and are targeting the thieves that steal these vehicles.”

The bait car program and other auto crime prevention programs and tools have been very effective in reducing auto crime. When comparing statistics in the first six months of 2008 to the same period in 2007, auto theft has dropped by 16 per cent in B.C. and 19 per cent in the Lower Mainland. In the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2003 – the year IMPACT’s bait car program first started – auto theft has dropped by 45 per cent in B.C. and by 54 per cent in the Lower Mainland.

For more information on anti-theft devices and optional insurance discounts, visit icbc.com.

Media Contact:
Adam Grossman, ICBC, (604) 982-1332
Sgt. Gord Elias, IMPACT, (604) 833-4401

ICBC Board names new CEO — October 9

T. Richard Turner, chair of the ICBC board of directors, today announced the appointment of Jon Schubert as the corporation's new president and chief executive officer.

The selection comes after an extensive four-month national search that involved a number of interviews to find the right candidate, according to Mr. Turner.

"Mr. Schubert brings more than 30 years of knowledge and experience in the private and public insurance industries and is well positioned to lead ICBC," said Mr. Turner.

Mr. Schubert - currently president and chief executive officer of Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) which operates that province's mandatory automobile insurance plan and competes in the property and casualty market in seven provinces - will assume his new role at ICBC in mid-November.

"ICBC is a well-run company with a proud history", said Mr. Schubert. "I am looking forward to working with the executive team, staff, brokers and our business partners as we continue to focus on the needs of ICBC customers."

A Certified Management Accountant, Mr. Schubert worked at SGI for 23 years in various leadership positions before running his own consulting firm assisting clients in the insurance and rehabilitation industries. He then returned to the organization as President and CEO in 2004.

Mr. Schubert has been a national and international conference presenter and publisher, and has served as vice president on high-profile committees and task forces, including a United Nations Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders.

Throughout his career, Mr. Schubert has maintained a commitment to strong community involvement, participating as a board member or advisor to various industry and related associations, including the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association.

On behalf of the ICBC board, Mr. Turner thanked Geri Prior for taking on the role of interim CEO since May 2008. "Geri Prior has done an outstanding job of providing consistent leadership by ensuring ICBC's business plan was executed effectively," said Mr. Turner. Ms. Prior will continue in the role of interim president and CEO until Mr. Schubert is in place at ICBC.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Doug Henderson:
604-982-1311

Provincial Government News

B.C. Auto thefts drop by nearly half since 2003 (PDF) — October 31