The BC government has announced a plan to bring new technology to certain crash-prone intersections across the province.
In a news release, the government said an average of 84 crashes happen every year at each of its Intersection Safety Camera (ISC) sites. Of those crashes, speed is the top contributing factor.
As a result, upgrades will be made to the existing red-light camera program to identify and ticket the fastest vehicles.
Click here for a Map of current ISC program red-light cameras
Victoria currently has two red-light cameras, one at Hillside and Shelbourne, and another on the Trans Canada Hwy at Tillicum Road.
Across Vancouver Island, there are four more cameras, one each in Duncan and Courtenay, and two in Nanaimo.
Over the next few months, crash and speed data at ISC intersections will be analyzed. Then, when the cameras are ready for speed enforcement, new signs will warn approaching drivers about the changes.
Government Envisions Positives for ICBC
In a media release, the BC government said that working to reduce crashes at these intersections will also have a positive impact on ICBC’s claims costs, and will help keep rates affordable for British Columbians.
This approach is also considered to be more transparent than the provincial photo radar program that ended in 2001, which used unmarked vans in random locations, issued tickets at low speeding thresholds and tied up police resources with two officers staffing each van.
Four other provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec) currently use automated speed enforcement, and it is a common practice internationally.
