NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General 2011PSSG0088-000846 July 8, 2011
Second phase of life-saving intersection cameras rolled out
VICTORIA – The second phase of B.C.’s upgraded and expanded Intersection Safety Camera program has gone live at 35 more sites, in an effort to save lives and reduce the almost 250 crashes that occur daily at intersections across the province.
The cameras detect and photograph vehicles running a red light, and are expected to reduce casualty crashes at ISC sites by about six per cent annually.
This is the second phase of a joint provincial government, ICBC and police campaign to upgrade and expand the program from 120 sites, with 30 film cameras rotating among them, to 140 sites with a dedicated digital camera at each location.
A team of experts, comprising RCMP, Police Services, ICBC, and engineering and traffic safety specialists, helped select B.C.’s highest-risk intersections. Site selection was based on where cameras would be the most effective in reducing serious crashes and fatalities.
Not all cameras will be activated at the same time. The cameras will be operated strategically, when historical and current data show the risk is greatest. This will maximize both the benefits and cost-effectiveness of the expanded program.
The first set of 35 upgraded cameras went live on January 10. This means that 70 of the 140 sites identified for safety cameras are now active. Full program implementation is expected by the end of 2011.
The ISC Program was introduced in B.C. in 1999 to cut the high incidence of intersection crashes, which are often the most serious because they involve high-speed and T-bone crashes.
Ticket revenue from the cameras will continue to be distributed among all municipalities across B.C. to enhance their policing and community-based public safety programs. Distribution of revenue is not based on the number of cameras within a community.
Quote:
Solicitor General Shirley Bond: “Too many families are left to grieve because somebody irresponsibly took a risk behind a steering wheel. In light of recent pedestrian deaths, we are committed to doing everything we can to lessen preventable traffic deaths and injuries. This program is proof that motorists can change their behaviour and that crashes can be reduced. Since the program was launched in 1999, crashes at ISC sites have been cut by five per cent.”
RCMP B.C. Traffic Services Superintendent Mike Diack: “Aggressive driving at intersections is extremely dangerous – more than 40 per cent of police- attended crashes happen at intersections. The ISC program is helping make our roads safer by targeting those drivers who choose to put other lives at risk.”
ICBC director of road safety Fiona Temple: “We’re committed to making our roads safer. Some of the most serious crashes occur at intersections, so whether you’re a driver, cyclist or a pedestrian we all need to use extra caution at intersections. Set an example by making smart driving decisions – they can have a significant influence on others.”
Quick Facts:
All ticket revenue goes to B.C. municipalities. Violation tickets carry a $167 fine, which can be reduced by $25 if paid within 30 days. Vehicles that have entered the intersection before the light turns red will not receive a ticket. A ticket is not issued if a traffic signal is in flashing red mode. Signs are prominently posted at the intersections to advise drivers that ISC cameras are in place. Registered vehicle owners do not receive driver penalty points for red light camera offences.
Learn More:
Visit icbc.com for more information about the Intersection Safety Camera program and to see a map of the 140 locations.
A backgrounder follows.
Contact: Government Communications and Public Engagement Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General 250 356-6961
Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect BACKGROUNDER For Immediate Release Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General 2011PSSG0088-000846 July 8, 2011
Table 1: Group 2 ISC sites that were activated on July 8, 2011
Municipality Location Description 1. BURNABY WILLINGDON AVENUE at DEER LAKE PARKWAY 2. BURNABY WILLINGDON AVENUE at LOUGHEED HWY 3. BURNABY CANADA WAY at BURRIS STREET 4. PORT COQUITLAM ROUTE 7B at SHAUGHNESSY STREET 5. VANCOUVER BURRARD at DAVIE STREET 6. VANCOUVER GRANVILLE STREET at W 49 AVENUE 7. VANCOUVER GRANVILLE ST at W KING EDWARD AVE 8. VANCOUVER KINGSWAY at NANAIMO STREET 9. VANCOUVER GRANDVIEW HWY at RUPERT STREET 10. VANCOUVER OAK STREET at W 70 AVENUE 11. VANCOUVER E HASTINGS STREET at MAIN STREET 12. VANCOUVER SE MARINE DRIVE at FRASER STREET 13. VANCOUVER SE MARINE DRIVE at ARGYLE STREET 14. VANCOUVER TERMINAL AVENUE at MAIN STREET 15. VANCOUVER W GEORGIA STREET at DENMAN STREET 16. VANCOUVER GRANVILLE STREET at W 41 AVENUE 17. VANCOUVER OAK STREET at W 33 AVENUE 18. VANCOUVER GRANVILLE STREET at SW MARINE DRIVE 19. VANCOUVER E 1 AVENUE at COMMERCIAL DRIVE 20. VANCOUVER VICTORIA DRIVE at E 41 AVENUE 21. VANCOUVER OAK STREET at W 49TH AVENUE 22. ABBOTSFORD MARSHALL ROAD at MCCALLUM ROAD 23. DELTA SCOTT ROAD at 80 AVENUE 24. DELTA HWY 10 at SCOTT ROAD 25. DELTA NORDEL WAY at 84 AVENUE 26. LANGLEY ROUTE 10 at FRASER HWY 27. RICHMOND NO. 3 ROAD at BLUNDELL ROAD 28. RICHMOND WESTMINSTER HWY at GARDEN CITY RD 29. RICHMOND ALDERBRIDGE WAY at SHELL ROAD 30. RICHMOND GARDEN CITY ROAD at CAMBIE ROAD 31. SURREY 152 STREET at 88 AVENUE 32. SURREY 96 AVENUE at 132 STREET 33. SURREY 88 AVENUE at FRASER HWY 34. NANAIMO ISLAND HWY at NORWELL DRIVE 35. COURTENAY 17 STREET at CLIFFE AVENUE
Table 2: Group 1 ISC sites, which were activated in January 2011
Municipality Location Description 1. BURNABY 10 AVENUE at CANADA WAY 2. BURNABY KINGSWAY at ROYAL OAK AVENUE 3. BURNABY KINGSWAY at GILLEY AVENUE 4. BURNABY CANADA WAY at EDMONDS STREET 5. BURNABY WILLINGDON AVENUE at KINGSWAY 6. BURNABY HASTINGS STREET at WILLINGDON AVENUE 7. BURNABY LOUGHEED HWY at GAGLARDI WAY 8. VANCOUVER KNIGHT STREET at E 49 AVENUE 9. VANCOUVER E HASTINGS STREET at RENFREW STREET 10. CHILLIWACK VEDDER ROAD at LUCKAKUCK WAY 11. DELTA NORDEL WAY at SCOTT ROAD 12. LANGLEY 88 AVENUE at 208 STREET 13. RICHMOND CAMBIE ROAD at NO. 5 ROAD 14. RICHMOND BLUNDELL ROAD at GILBERT ROAD 15. RICHMOND WESTMINSTER HWY at NO. 3 ROAD 16. RICHMOND NO. 5 ROAD at WESTMINSTER HWY 17. SURREY 96 AVENUE at 128 STREET 18. SURREY 64 AVENUE at 152 STREET 19. SURREY 104 AVENUE at 152 STREET 20. SURREY 64 AVENUE at KING GEORGE BOULEVARD 21. SURREY 88 AVENUE at KING GEORGE BOULEVARD 22. SURREY 72 AVENUE at SCOTT ROAD 23. SURREY 72 AVENUE at 128 STREET 24. SURREY 128 STREET at 88 AVENUE 25. SURREY 152 STREET at FRASER HWY 26. SURREY 88 AVENUE at 140 STREET 27. SURREY KING GEORGE BOULEVARD at 104 AVENUE 28. SURREY KING GEORGE BOULEVARD at 80 AVENUE 29. SURREY KING GEORGE BOULEVARD at 76 AVENUE 30. SURREY KING GEORGE BOULEVARD at 128 STREET 31. SURREY 152 STREET at KING GEORGE BOULEVARD 32. SURREY KING GEORGE BOULEVARD at 92 AVENUE 33. SURREY FRASER HWY at 96 AVENUE 34. SURREY SCOTT ROAD at 96 AVENUE 35. VICTORIA SHELBOURNE STREET at HILLSIDE AVENUE
Contact: Government Communications and Public Engagement Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General 250 356-6961
Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect