(Image Credit: CFJC Today)
SPEEDING DURING PANDEMIC

Speeding increase on B.C roads sparks ICBC campaign asking drivers to slow down

May 4, 2020 | 10:51 AM

VANCOUVER — ICBC, the provincial government, and police in B.C are teaming up on a month-long campaign urging drivers to slow down.

In a release, ICBC says, “with fewer vehicles on our roads right now, drivers may be tempted to speed. Even though it seems safer with fewer cars on the road, it isn’t.”

The Crown corporation notes that speeding increases the risk of crashing, and also reduces the amount of time you’d have to react to anything unexpected on the road.

According to police-reported data between 2014-2018, every year 82 people are killed in speed-related crashes. This makes speed the number one cause of car crash fatalities in the province.

In the Southern Interior, on average 27 people are killed every year from speed-related crashes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there are less vehicles on the roads, however police say they have seen an increase in drivers who are speeding.

Along with the concern for those behind the wheel, the campaign also reminds motorists that many families are spending more time outside, and it’s important to keep an eye out for pedestrians and cyclists.

For more information about this month’s campaign, and further data from ICBC, click here.

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