Fatal Crashes Down In 2008

By 250 News

Victoria, B.C. - Sixty fewer lives were lost and 4,196 fewer injuries resulted from motor vehicle crashes in 2008 compared to 2007, due to a concerted effort by a 110-member integrated traffic safety unit that works alongside
local traffic police to make British Columbia roads safer.

Fewer injuries and fatalities translate to an estimated $99-million benefit from the Enhanced Road Safety Enforcement Initiative (ERSEI), which had an $18.4-million budget in 2008. This means that for every dollar spent, $5.48
was returned to taxpayers in savings from social costs such as health care, legal costs, insurance claims and reduced vehicle crime.

ERSEI began in 2003 and was fully operational by 2006. The program establishes road-safety priorities and dedicates police officers to traffic safety enforcement.

The ERSEI annual report, posted at http://pssg.gov.bc.ca/publications is a summary of the progress of the initiative. Highlights for 2008 are:

* The number of fatalities related to impaired driving (including drug impairment) in 2008 dropped by 34 per cent compared to 2007, and the number of impaired charges and prohibitions increased by 10 per cent.
* Speed violations were the largest enforcement category, with 42 per cent of tickets issued.
* Enhanced enforcement officers issued 25 per cent of the total violations issued in B.C. in 2008. (All traffic fine revenue is returned to local governments to invest in crime-reduction initiatives.)
* The five main causes of traffic-related fatalities declined from 2007 to 2008:
o Speed (down 20 per cent).
o Alcohol (down 23 per cent).
o Non-use of seatbelts (down 18 per cent).
o Intersection crashes (down 18 per cent).
o Crashes involving commercial vehicles (down 18 per cent).
* All factors relating to injuries decreased in 2008 except motorcycle crashes, which rose four per cent.
* As part of the evidence-led strategy, a second traffic-safety helicopter, Air Two, was purchased to further reduce the need for high-speed interventions and to assist in apprehending criminals.

A partnership between the Ministry of Public Safety and ICBC, ERSEI is funded with the equivalent to one percent of basic premiums from ICBC and $5 million from the federal government.

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