September 12, 2011
Third phase of B.C.’s Intersection Safety Camera program goes live

ABBOTSFORD - Today, the provincial government, police and ICBC announced that the third phase of B.C.’s upgraded Intersection Safety Camera (ISC) program has gone live across the province – including one camera located in Abbotsford.

A total of three ISCs will be live in Abbotsford by the end of the year. The site that went live today is in addition to the site that went live during the second phase in July. A total of two ISCs are now live at the following locations:

• George Ferguson Way at Gladwin Road
• Marshall Road at McCallum Road

Why this Matters:

• Over 40% of police-attended accidents occur at intersections.
• Crashes at intersections are often more serious because they involve high speed and right angle or t-bone crashes.
• Improving intersection safety prevents crashes, injuries and fatalities, ensuring families get home safe and sound.

Quotes:

“These two intersections are high volume thoroughfares. The new cameras will not only make driving these roads safer, they’ll hold accountable drivers who break the law.”
Abbotsford West MLA Michael de Jong

“A high percentage of crashes happen at major intersections like those at Marshall Road or George Ferguson Way. The expansion of the Intersection Safety Camera program will help save lives and reduce injuries.”
Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen

“These new cameras are valuable tools for documenting speeding, and will hopefully serve as a deterrent for reckless driving on our streets."
Abbotsford-Mission MLA Randy Hawes

“One of our priorities is to help curb aggressive driving at intersections. These cameras are going to help make our roads safer by deterring red-light runners, who choose to put lives at risk.”
Cst. Ian MacDonald, Abbotsford Police Dept.

“We know these cameras will help reduce intersection related crashes, but it’s important that we continue to think about the role we can play to help make our roads safer. Many people think tailgating or failing to yield the right-of-way is harmless, but the reality is you are increasing your chances of being in a crash – putting others at risk, including yourself and passengers. Whether you’re a driver, motorcycle rider, cyclist or pedestrian, slow down and use extra caution at intersections."
Fiona Temple, ICBC’s director of road safety

Additional information:

• The upgraded program will see digital cameras placed at 140 of B.C.’s highest-risk intersections.
• The goal of the ISC program is to prevent crashes, injuries and fatalities, not to generate ticket- revenues.
• Sites were selected based on where cameras will be the most effective in reducing serious crashes, severe injuries and fatalities.
• Signs are prominently posted at the intersections to advise drivers that ISC cameras are in place.
• All traffic fine revenue will continue to be distributed among B.C. municipalities to help them enhance their policing and community-based public programs, regardless of the number of cameras within their community or how many tickets they issue.
• With the third set of cameras going live, the majority (105 out of 140) of the cameras under the upgraded ISC program are now operational. By the end of the year, all 140 ISCs will be live.
• Visit www.icbc.com for more information about the Intersection Safety Camera program and to see a map of the 140 locations.

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