ICBC

Current Road Safety Campaigns 2019

ICBC: a crash occurs every three minutes over the holidays

December 20, 2019

The holidays are here and many drivers will be traveling to visit family and friends to celebrate. With increased traffic and unpredictable road conditions, it's important for everyone to be prepared and drive smart.

Over the Christmas holidays and New Year's, 530 people are injured and two people are killed in 2,000 crashes every year in B.C.* That's one crash every three minutes.

Here are ICBC's tips to get home safe this holiday season:

• Check your vehicle. Many B.C. highways require winter tires, labelled with either the mountain/snowflake symbol or the mud and snow (M+S) designation. Top up wiper fluid for clearer visibility and pack an emergency kit including blanket, food and water.
• Slow down. Posted speed limits are for ideal conditions only. It takes more time and distance to come to a complete stop on wet, icy or snowy roads. Adjust your speed to the conditions and always maintain a safe travelling distance between vehicles.
• Avoid distraction. Make important calls and program your GPS before you begin driving and let your family and friends know you're not available while driving. If you're on a longer drive, use highway rest stops to take a break and check your messages.
• Take a break. Pull over as soon as you start to feel drowsy. Get out and walk around to get some fresh air. If that's not enough, pull over to a safe area, turn off your car and take a nap.
• Plan for a safe ride home. If your holiday festivities involve alcohol, plan ahead for a safe ride home: arrange a designated driver, call a taxi, take transit or use Operation Red Nose where available. There's no excuse to drink and drive.

Christmas holiday statistics:*

• During the Christmas holidays, on average, one person is killed and 350 people are injured in 1,300 crashes in B.C. every year.
• During the Christmas holidays, on average, 260 people are injured in 810 crashes in the Lower Mainland every year.
• During the Christmas holidays, on average, 69 people are injured in 340 crashes on Vancouver Island every year.
• During the Christmas holidays, on average, 45 people are injured in 180 crashes in the Southern Interior every year.
• During the Christmas holidays, on average, 15 people are injured in 87 crashes in the North Central region every year.

CounterAttack Campaign

This year's holiday CounterAttack campaign has begun with roadchecks set up across the province. The B.C. government, police and ICBC are urging drivers to plan ahead and make smart decisions to get home safely this holiday season.

More than half of impaired-related crashes (56 per cent) occur on the weekend (Friday to Sunday). Police across the province will be setting up roadchecks to keep impaired drivers off our roads throughout December.

Impaired driving remains a leading cause of fatal car crashes, with an average of 68 lives lost every year in B.C.

Visit ICBC for more information on impaired driving