Police target dangerous drivers at B.C. intersections
Last Updated: Thursday, November 6, 2008 | 5:50 PM PT
CBC News
Multiple vehicles entering an intersection on a red light is one common dangerous driving behaviour, ICBC says. (ICBC) Police officers across B.C. will try to curb dangerous driving at intersections as they step up enforcement in November at locations with high crash rates.
Solicitor General John van Dongen and the Insurance Corp. of B.C. kicked off a month-long campaign on Thursday aimed at reducing intersection crashes across the province.
"The province, police, ICBC and community volunteers are doing their part by stepping up efforts to reduce intersection crashes and save lives," van Dongen said.
Unsafe left turns in front of oncoming traffic are a fairly common problem in B.C., according to ICBC. (ICBC) Radio and television advertisements will remind British Columbians to drive safely.
ICBC said about 270 crashes occur at intersections every day in B.C.
Since 2003, more than one million drivers have been involved in intersection crashes, and approximately 1,600 pedestrians are injured and 27 are killed in traffic accidents at intersections every year, ICBC said.
Too many drivers enter intersections even when the traffic lights are turning red, creating danger of a collision, Insp. Norm Gaumont of the RCMP B.C. Traffic Services said Thursday.
They also make unsafe left turns in front of oncoming traffic, he said.
"Provincewide, the police will be targeting drivers that choose to exhibit these dangerous behaviours," Gaumont said.
ICBC said police will also crack down on speeding, failing to yield, and unsafe passing.
