April 2009 news releases

ICBC news releases

ICBC's Top Five reasons why your vehicle could be a target for auto crime — April 21
ICBC and BC Government are encouraging drivers to plan ahead and drive safely — April 9

Provincial Government news releases

Enhanced driver's licence for U.S. border goes public — April 06
  [Backgrounder (PDF)]
Live cam collars criminals — April 01
  [Vehicle thefts in B.C. communities: 2003-08 (PDF)]

ICBC’s Top Five reasons why your vehicle could be a target for auto crime… — April 21

and what you can do to protect yourself

April is Auto Crime Enforcement Month in British Columbia and it is important we all continue to help fight auto crime by properly protecting our vehicles. Here are ICBC’s top five reasons why your vehicle could be targeted by auto thieves and some simple tips on what you can do to prevent this from happening:

REASON: You’re an easy target.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Get immobilized.

The number one reason most vehicles are stolen is because they do not have an immobilizer. Car thieves are looking to get into your vehicle and to steal it quickly, with the least amount of hassle – and most can do this with just a screwdriver.

Immobilizers are the best way to prevent your vehicle from being stolen. Electronic immobilizers require a special key or small electronic device to start a vehicle’s engine. When someone tries to start your vehicle without this, the immobilizer shuts off one or more parts of the engine’s electrical system, such as the starter, ignition and/or fuel system. This makes your vehicle virtually impossible to steal.

Most passenger vehicles and light trucks built after September 2007 come equipped with an immobilizer, but you can have one installed in an earlier model. A good standard two-point immobilizer can be picked up and installed for as little as $160 – a small amount to invest given the overall value of your vehicle. It will also save you money in the long run. Customers who have a passive electronic immobilizer installed receive a discount on their comprehensive coverage and can receive a $100 rebate on their deductible at the time of any theft or attempted theft.

REASON: You’re not using a visual deterrent.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Keep it under lock.

Steering wheel locks, like The Club, are another good option to protect your vehicle. They cost as little as $15 and provide a stronger visual deterrent for auto thieves than an immobilizer. Just the sight of an anti-theft device inside a car will put off many thieves.

These types of anti-theft devices come in various forms, but the most common are steering wheel locking bars. Again, car thieves are looking for an easy vehicle to steal and will likely go for the one without any sign of an anti-theft device.

Whatever anti-theft device you purchase, make sure the product meets Canadian standards for automotive theft deterrents.

REASON: Location, location, location.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Choose secure areas that will make thieves think twice.

As with all of our tips, this is one that will make any auto thief think twice before stealing your vehicle. By parking in a safe and secure place, you will make it that bit harder for anyone to steal your vehicle.

Key places to avoid are parking behind fences or hedges, which give thieves cover from being seen. At home, consider having a motion-activated light in your driveway or, if you have an automatic gate to underground parking, wait for the gate to close behind you. When out with your vehicle, park in well-lit areas near pedestrian traffic.

Parkades can be a big problem area for auto thefts. Avoid parking in parkade areas with poor visibility where thieves will feel safe when breaking into your vehicle. When parking downtown, choose a parkade where you must pay on the way out. Car thieves don’t mind stealing your car, but they won’t pay for your parking and generally avoid these parking lots.

REASON: It’s not always your vehicle the thieves want.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Remove any visible contents from your vehicle.

Once you have protected your vehicle from being stolen, it’s important that you also do what you can to avoid being a victim of the other big auto crime threat – vehicle break-ins.

When thinking about what items to remove from your vehicle, start with the obvious – take your keys with you (and close your windows and lock your doors, even if you are only going to be away for just a few moments).

While it’s important to remove any valuables from your car, you should go a step further and remove everything from your vehicle – even bags with nothing valuable in them. Thieves will break your window, costing you your deductible, just to find out if you have anything of value to steal.

REASON: Auto thieves really like your vehicle.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF: Follow all of these key tips and look for more on icbc.com.

There are certain vehicles that auto thieves just know how to steal. If you own an older vehicle, it’s at a higher risk of being stolen or broken into.

Older vehicles often don’t have an effective anti-theft device and are easy to steal. That’s why the average age of a stolen vehicle in BC is about 11 years old. If you own one of the vehicles identified by ICBC as the most stolen in BC, then you need to follow all of these security tips and more.

The most stolen vehicles in BC are the Ford F-Series trucks. They are popular targets with auto thieves as they can be used to commit other crimes – their carrying capacity and power make them very appealing. Other top targets for auto thieves are the Honda Civic, Chrysler Caravan/Voyager, Honda Accord and the Jeep Cherokee.

Media contact:
Adam Grossman
(604) 982-1332

ICBC and BC Government are encouraging drivers to plan ahead and drive safely — April 9

Tips to stay safe and enjoy the Easter long weekend

ICBC and the Provincial Government are encouraging all drivers to plan ahead and drive safely this Easter long weekend. To help ensure all British Columbians enjoy a safe weekend, police will be out in full force ticketing drivers who engage in high-risk driving behaviours.

Over the past five years (2004 - 2008), there have been an average of 2,100 crashes, 640 injuries and five fatalities throughout B.C. over the four-day Easter long weekend.

When you are out on the roads this weekend, remember the following safety driving tips:

• Plan ahead and be realistic about travel times. Allow extra time for possible delays that may occur due to increased traffic volume over the long weekend.
• If this weekend is your first road trip of the year, check the condition of your vehicle to ensure it is equipped for a longer drive. Inspect vehicle tires, including the spare, making sure they are in good condition and properly inflated.
• Whether travelling a long distance or a short trip, always slow down and maintain a safe travelling distance between vehicles.
• As the weather improves, be aware of additional road users, such as motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians.
• Drivers and passengers need to remember to wear their seatbelts at all times.
• And set an example to your children and other drivers by practicing courtesy on the road.

Media Contact:
Kathy Taylor
604-816-7983

Cindy Rose
250-213-3602

Provincial Government news releases

	NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Apr. 06, 2009
Enhanced driver's licence for U.S. border goes public VANCOUVER - British Columbians can start applying for B.C.'s Enhanced Driver's Licence (EDL) - a driver's licence that also allows the cardholder to cross into the United States at land or water ports of entry between Canada and the United States with a single piece of identification. B.C. is also offering an Enhanced Identification Card (EIC) for persons who do not drive and for young adults over the age of 12 years. The announcement of full implementation for the EDL/EIC program was made today jointly by B.C. Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations Joan McIntyre and Russ Hiebert, Member of Parliament for South Surrey, White Rock and Cloverdale, on behalf of the Honourable Peter Van Loan, the federal Minister of Public Safety. "We have worked very hard with the Government of Canada and federal agencies in the U.S. over the last couple of years to introduce an Enhanced Driver's Licence," said McIntyre. "We are delighted that we can now offer this service to all Canadian citizens residing in B.C. Ease of crossborder travel is vital to families, communities and businesses on both sides of the border." "The Government of Canada is taking the steps necessary to ensure that legitimate trade and travel across our border are not disrupted as a result of the Unites States Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative," said Minister Van Loan. "Through our efforts, the U.S. Government now recognizes that enhanced driver's licences and enhanced identification cards can serve as an acceptable and secure alternative to passports at U.S. land and water border crossings. Today's announcement provides yet another example of the results we are achieving through our ongoing partnership with the Government of British Columbia" The new U.S. law requires all travellers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, to present a valid passport or other secure document when entering the U.S. from within the western hemisphere. The B.C. enhanced cards are now in the final stages of approval by the U.S. government. The full implementation of the British Columbia EDL/EIC program follows a successful test phase that was launched in January 2008, with 521 volunteers. Today's announcement follows through on a commitment made between B.C. and Washington State to keep our borders running smoothly, particularly in the run up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games - when approximately 25,000 people per day are expected to cross the border. "The Enhanced Driver's Licence will be a convenient, efficient and secure document to enter the U.S. by land or water", said B.C.'s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor-General John van Dongen. "The licence will incorporate the latest security features to prevent identity theft, fraud and counterfeiting. We have conducted a full privacy impact assessment and engaged in regular consultation with both provincial and federal privacy commissioners." The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is now accepting appointment bookings for customers interested in applying for an EDL or EIC, with appointments starting May 1, 2009. The EDL program has been developed by the Province of British Columbia and ICBC, in cooperation with the Canada Border Services Agency and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Both the EDL and EIC are voluntary and will be available for an incremental fee of $35. Full details on how to apply are available online at: www.icbc.com. Media Contacts: Alex Dabrowski Communications Manager Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat Tel: 250 356-7373 Media Relations (Headquarters) Canada Border Services Agency Tel: 613 957-6500 Adam Grossman ICBC Communications Tel: 604 982-1332

	NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Apr. 01, 2009
Live cam collars criminals VANCOUVER - Police will now be able to watch and listen to auto thieves in real time with the introduction of the Bait Car Live program, Solicitor General John van Dongen announced today as a part of the kick-off to April as Auto Crime Enforcement Month. "A stolen vehicle in the hands of a car thief is like a 3,000-pound bullet driving down the road", said van Dongen. "On top of that, police officers often face drug-fueled car thieves armed with weapons such as knives and guns. This new Bait Car Live technology will greatly enhance officer safety and make our streets safer." Previous bait car technology did not allow for live monitoring; police could only view the tape after the vehicle was stopped. Officers were not able to determine how many suspects were in the vehicle, what they were planning, or if they were armed. "Stopping a stolen vehicle can pose great danger to police because a suspect could have a gun, or there may be more than one person involved", said Sgt. Gord Elias of the Integrated Municipal Auto Crime Team (IMPACT). "Bait Car Live allows a dispatcher to watch and listen to everything going on inside a bait car as it happens and relay that information instantly to the responding police unit." Auto Crime Enforcement month will also see police forces across B.C. ramping up efforts to arrest car thieves and drive down auto theft statistics. Auto theft dropped 16 per cent in British Columbia between 2007 and 2008, from 15,900 to 13,400 vehicles stolen. Since 2003, the launch year of the Bait Car program, there has been a 47 per cent decline in auto theft from 25,500 to 13,400. "Since launching the bait car program in 2003, we've seen auto theft claims fall by about $40 million", said Donnie Wing, ICBC's senior vice-president of insurance, marketing and underwriting. "It's one of the reasons why ICBC has been able to lower optional insurance rates 17 per cent over the past five years. Our three per cent reduction in 2009 alone totals a $50 million savings to our 3.1 million customers." The Province has a number of strategies in the battle against vehicle theft. The IMPACT program uses Automatic Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology, which involves the deployment across the Lower Mainland of covert police cars equipped with on-board cameras and computers. ALPR can run up to 600 plates per hour looking for stolen vehicles. The Air One helicopter has also had success apprehending car thieves. Since it went fully operational in 2006, Air One has assisted or been directly involved in 146 stolen vehicle incidents resulting in the arrest of 218 people. As well, Air Two, the second police helicopter to take to the skies, was introduced recently and doubles the ability of police to apprehend criminals. To view B.C.'s top ten wanted auto thieves, as well as current theft statistics, go to www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/mediaroom/events/2009-apr-01/ . For a demonstration of how the bait car live program works, visit www.baitcar.com . Media Contacts: Cindy Rose Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Tel: 250 356-6961 Sgt. Gord Elias RCMP Tel: 604-598-4456 Adam Grossman ICBC Communications Tel: 604 982-1332