September 2009 news releases

ICBC news releases

ICBC: The top five facts you should know about seatbelts — September 24
Delta 'curbers' charged with fraud — September 17
ICBC customers win tickets to the 2010 Winter Games — September 15
The Province, ICBC and police encourage drivers to plan ahead on the last long weekend of the summer — September 2

Provincial Government news releases

VPD's Bait Car program celebrates seventh anniversary — September 30
  [Vehicle thefts in B.C. communities: 2003-09 (PDF)]

ICBC: The top five facts you should know about seatbelts

As part of September's Seatbelt Awareness month

Did you know that you are 25 times more likely to be killed or injured in a crash if you are ejected from the vehicle? Now that's a reason to buckle up.

As September's Seatbelt Awareness campaign continues throughout the province, ICBC is reminding drivers and passengers about the importance of wearing a seatbelt. The campaign includes advertising and enhanced police enforcement intended to encourage drivers and passengers to buckle up.

95 per cent of British Columbians buckle up, but the consequences for the remaining 5 per cent aren't pretty. From 2004 to 2008, on average 1,601 people were injured and 106 were killed yearly in crashes in BC when the victim was not wearing a restraint (seatbelt, child restraint system or booster seat).

Here are the top five facts you should know about seatbelts:

No. 1 – Best protection. Seatbelts continue to be the single most effective protective device in your vehicle. An unbuckled 68 kg (150 lbs) adult involved in a 50 km/h frontal crash with a stationary object will strike other occupants, the interior of the vehicle or be ejected with the equivalent force of a 3.5 ton truck. Even in vehicles equipped with airbags, seatbelts are still a necessity. Airbags were designed to work in conjunction with seatbelts, not replace them.

No. 2 – Keep kids safe.  A correctly used child seat reduces the risk of being killed in a crash by 71 per cent and the risk of serious injury by 67 per cent. As of July 1, 2008, all children over 18kg (40lbs.) must be in booster seats until they are 1.45 metres (4'9”) tall or age nine. It's important to be role model for your children by always wearing your seatbelt and reminding older children to buckle up every time they get into a vehicle.

No. 3 – Take notice. Even drivers who are buckled up have five times the risk of dying in a crash if their rear seat passengers are not wearing seatbelts, according to a Japanese research paper. Always remind those in the vehicle to buckle up – it could save your life. Eighty per cent of the deaths from these types of crashes could have been eliminated if the rear seat passengers had been buckled up.

No. 4 – Never double buckle. Always use a seatbelt for its intended use – never restrain multiple passengers with one belt. The force of a crash will throw both passengers violently together as their bodies attempt to occupy the same space.

No. 5 – Lock it up. All unrestrained objects – pets included – are a hazard in the event of a crash. If you need to transport your pet, use an animal carrier and if possible, restrain the carrier. Never leave unrestrained objects in your vehicle as they can become projectiles in a crash.

The fine for not wearing your seatbelt is $167 – including a 15 per cent victim surcharge. Remember that if your passenger is under 16 years old, you are responsible for ensuring that they are properly restrained.

For more tips and to learn how to wear a seatbelt properly, visit icbc.com.

Media Contact:
Mark Jan Vrem
604-982-2476

Delta 'curbers' charged with fraud

Brothers accused of rolling back odometers on hundreds of vehicles

Two brothers, Parveen Saini and Naveen Saini, face a combined total of 33 counts of fraud following one of the most extensive fraud cases ICBC has ever investigated. Their trial begins tomorrow (September 18) at the Surrey Provincial Court.

ICBC's Special Investigation Unit (SIU) launched a probe after receiving an anonymous tip that the brothers were buying used vehicles - some with mileage as high as 460,000 kilometers - and rolling back the odometers before reselling them at a profit. The SIU investigation determined the two were registered owners of more than 300 vehicles over a span of three years.

"Typically the two sought out Honda and Toyota vehicles on the internet or in classified ads, snapped them up and then sold them for a profit after allegedly rolling back the odometer significantly," said Steven Tripp, Manager of the SIU. "Our priority was to get them out of the business and protect our customers from purchasing vehicles that may have been fraudulently altered."

The Saini brothers allegedly acted as curbers, people who sell cars and trucks without a dealer's license, which is a requirement of the Vehicle Sales Authority if the seller is making a profit. Curbers often connect with buyers and sellers in public spaces or parking lots, never at their own home, and often have multiple cars or trucks for sale.

"A sure-fire way to tell if you're dealing with a curber is to search whatever source you're using – be it craigslist, the Buy and Sell or your newspaper's classifieds – and see if their number is listed with another vehicle," Tripp warns.

There are other precautions ICBC recommends for buyers hoping to reduce their chance of landing a stolen or fraudulently altered vehicle:

1. Inspect the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): The VIN on the dashboard and the engine firewall should match with the Vehicle Registration form. Check for signs of tampering like loose or mismatched rivets, or scratched numbers.
2. Insist on seeing the original Vehicle Registration form: Don't make do with a photocopy – make sure you have the original document and then check that all the information matches the vehicle you are buying.
3. Take a closer look at the odometer: Make sure the numbers are properly aligned, and there are no marks or obvious signs of tampering. When purchasing an older model car, consider that vehicles travel, on average, about 25,000 kilometres a year. By obtaining the vehicle's registration number you can also check when the vehicle last went through an AirCare testing at aircare.ca. Odometer readings should increase and not do a significant drop.
4. Uncover the vehicle's claims history: Get a Vehicle Claims History report or a more detailed CarProof Verified BC report. Both are available, for a fee, online http://www.icbc.com/registration-licensing/buy-vehicle/buy-used/vehicle-history#Variables._frag_.
5. Perform a lien search: A lien may have been placed on the vehicle by a person, bank or other entity as collateral for an unpaid debt. A lien is attached to the vehicle, not the owner. A lien search – which costs about $10 – can be performed at any ICBC Driver Service Centre and many ServiceBC offices.

"Importantly, if the deal on a vehicle seems too good to be true – it's probably because it is," said Tripp. "With this particular case, the vehicles were being sold for thousands of dollars less than they should have been. The same vehicles were also rebuilt models, which wasn't something the buyers were aware of. This emphasizes the importance of doing as much research as possible into a vehicle before buying it."

Fraud costs each of our 3.1 million customers an estimated $100 to $150 per year. The public can help combat fraud and help keep their auto insurance premiums low and stable.  Anyone with information regarding a suspicious, exaggerated or fraudulent claim is encouraged to call ICBC's tips line at 604-661-6844 or 1-800-661-6844, toll free from anywhere in the province. Callers can remain anonymous.

Media Contact:
Adam Grossman
604-982-1332

ICBC customers win tickets to the 2010 Winter Games

150 days to go – 150 pairs of tickets won

With only 150 days to go until the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, ICBC is awarding 150 pairs of Olympic tickets to its customers to thank them for getting ‘behind the drive' and supporting the Games. 

Earlier this year, ICBC launched its Tickets to 2010 campaign and customers who purchased special 2010 Winter Games licence plates by June 14, 2009, were automatically entered into a draw to win one of 150 pairs of 2010 Winter Games event tickets.

"Our customers have truly demonstrated their passion and enthusiasm towards the Olympics and we want to be able to thank them and provide them a chance to experience the Vancouver Games," said ICBC's Jeff Schulz, vice president, strategic marketing. "The success of the 2010 Winter Games licence plate program has been tremendous and allows British Columbians to proudly display their Olympic spirit as they welcome the Games into their communities."

More than 160,000 British Columbians are displaying their Olympic spirit with approximately 107,000 plates sold in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, 19,000 sold on Vancouver Island, 26,000 sold in the Southern Interior and 10,000 sold in Northern B.C.

In addition to the 150 pairs given out so far, ICBC is holding weekly draws for two pairs of 2010 Winter Games event tickets to thank customers who purchase a plate between June 15 and December 6 – so there's still time to show your support and win tickets. 

"As we pass the 150 day mark on the road to 2010, it's truly remarkable to see British Columbians proudly display their support for the Games and our Canadian athletes with a 2010 plate," said Dave Cobb, Executive vice president & Deputy CEO at VANOC.

Details about the Tickets to 2010 campaign and list of winners will be posted on behindthedrive.com.

You can purchase 2010 Winter Games licence plates from Autoplan brokers for an initial fee of $35 (annual renewal fee of $25 until 2012). 2010 Winter Games licence plates are an official licence plate and will continue to be valid beyond the Games. Customers are encouraged to keep the plates but if they choose to cancel their plate after December 31, 2010, they can keep the front licence plate as a souvenir in recognition of their support.

Additional information about 2010 Winter Games licence plates is available at local Autoplan broker offices or under vehicle registration at icbc.com.

Media Contact:
Mark Jan Vrem
604-982-2476

The Province, ICBC and police encourage drivers to plan ahead on the last long weekend of the summer

As the last long weekend of the summer approaches, the Province, police and ICBC are asking all drivers to make smart driving decisions and plan their trips safely ahead of time - especially as we approach back to school season.

Over the Labour Day long weekend, there are approximately 878 crashes, 446 injuries and five fatalities in B.C.* We all need to play a role in making B.C. roads safer, so here are five smart driving tips for the Labour Day long weekend:

No. 1 - Plan ahead: The Labour Day long weekend can be the last chance to get away for a sunny summer vacation, so if you're planning a long drive make sure you get plenty of rest beforehand and look for regular rest stops on your journey. Remember to plan your route and check your road map before starting out to avoid any chance of being distracted behind the wheel.

No. 2 - Be realistic: ...about your travel times and check the road and weather conditions before you leave. Go to drivebc.com before you leave - it lists highway closures so you can allow extra time for delays that may occur, especially over the long weekend when more vehicles will be on the road. Be prepared for sudden changes in the weather too. While weather conditions are favourable right now, they can change quickly at this time of year, especially when travelling over long distances in B.C.

No. 3 - Your vehicle: Long road trips can be tiring for drivers and passengers, but also on your vehicle too so make sure it's up to the drive. Among the key things to check for are to see to if your engine oil is at the proper level, that your radiator coolant is topped up, that you have enough washer fluid, that all the lights are working, and that your tires are properly inflated. For more tips on preparing your vehicle, go to drivesmartsavegreen.com.

No. 4 - The border: Many of us in B.C. like to make good use of our close proximity to the 49th parallel by taking regular trips down to the U.S. If you are thinking of doing so on this Labour Day long weekend, remember that as of June 1 of this year all travellers - including Canadian and U.S. citizens - have needed to present a valid passport or other approved document that confirms identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or water. The Enhanced Driver's Licence is a voluntary, convenient and secure option to get you across the border.

No. 5 - School's back: Once the weekend is over, we all need to remember that kids go back to school on Tuesday and that means extra care and attention needs to be paid around school and playground zones. Remember that police will be closely monitoring speeds in school zones so that drivers stick to the 30km/h limit. Key points for drivers to remember are that driving routes that normally have less traffic in the summer may now face congestion due to people returning to work or school, and that there will be more vehicles on the road so take your time and don't rush - especially through intersections. Remember to look for children especially near or around crosswalks.

For more information and tips, visit www.icbc.com.

*Annual averages from 2004-2008 ICBC and police-reported data.

Media Contact:
Mark Jan Vrem
604-982-2476

Provincial Government News

	NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release September 30, 2009	Ref #: 2009-20
VPD's Bait Car program celebrates seventh anniversary Auto theft drops 71 per cent in Vancouver since 2003 Vancouver's Bait Car program in Vancouver has significantly stalled auto crime over the past seven years with thefts dropping 71 per cent, or by 1,780 fewer vehicles stolen, when comparing the first six months of 2009 to 2003, Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Kash Heed announced in celebrating the initiative's anniversary with Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu. The program, which operates alongside the province-wide bait car strategy run by the Integrated Municipal Police Auto Crime Team (IMPACT), also produced a year over year comparison between June of this year and June 2008 that shows car theft is down 27 percent from 970 to 710 cars taken.  "Bait Cars are a shining example of how innovation, integration and investment are working to reduce auto theft crime," said Heed. "The Vancouver Police Department deserves a lot of credit for launching this program which has also been very successful in other areas of the province." In 2002, the VPD and ICBC piloted the province's first Bait Cars in Vancouver, which included an award-winning advertising campaign, "Bait Cars are Everywhere: Steal a Bait Car - Go to Jail." "We owe much to the men and women of the VPD and various police agencies that work together to arrest car thieves," Chu said. "We're also thankful for the dedication and commitment of our many volunteers who patrol with us to find stolen cars." In 2008, 183 stolen cars were recovered by volunteers from the VPD, ICBC-supported Vancouver Community Policing Centres, Citizen's Crime Watch program and the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association's ambassador patrols program. The groups also issued nearly 23,000 safety tip notices to vehicle owners to help prevent auto thefts and break-ins. "We've seen a continued drop in auto crime claims thanks to this successful partnership and customers taking steps to protect themselves," said Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC's road safety director. "It's one of the reasons we've been able to lower optional insurance rates." Due to the initial success of the Vancouver pilot program, IMPACT and ICBC worked together, expanding the program throughout the Lower Mainland in 2004. By 2005, it was expanded further to Vancouver Island, the Interior and North. When comparing the first six months of 2003 to 2009, auto theft decreased by 52 per cent province-wide from 12,090 cars stolen to 5,780. The Province and police employ additional strategies in the battle against auto theft. The Automatic Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology enables police to scan licence plates for stolen vehicles, warrants or arrests with the use of cameras and computers, and the Air One and Air Two helicopters assist in the apprehension of car thieves. For a list of regional, Vancouver and other municipal auto theft stats, visit the 'Road Safety' section of icbc.com and click on 'Preventing Auto Crime'. Media Contacts: Kim Thé, ICBC Tel: (604) 842-5023 Cst. Lindsey Houghton, VPD Tel: 604-717-3679