Why do we spend money on roads? Fewer crashes mean fewer injuries and wrecked cars—and fewer insurance claims. And these savings help us to keep rates as low as possible. In 2012, we invested approximately $8 million in road improvement projects and studies throughout B.C.
A 2009 evaluation concluded that for every dollar invested, ICBC and its customers see a return of five times the investment. And the benefits of road improvements continue well beyond two years.
Any community can talk to us about Safer Roads funding. If you have a suggestion for how to make a road or intersection in your community safer, contact your local municipality, or make your suggestion via our feedback.
We work with engineers to review studies, crash data and other information to decide which projects we should invest in. Often, we fund part of a project, working with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure or municipal staff.
That’s part of what we do. But it’s a lot more.
We look at ways of preventing crashes from happening in the first place, by working with communities to make sure safety issues are part of planning for new roadways.
We also consult with other road safety experts on new ways to prevent crashes. Some of the new technology we’ve tested and is now in place in B.C. includes anti-skid road surface treatments, high-intensity signs, and larger, more visible traffic signals.