Dear editor,
Tom Fletcher has missed the mark on the real problem at ICBC. (BC Views: Fixing the real problem at ICBC - Feb. 13). This is a bit unusual for Tom, who is normally centre of left on issues, and usually has a clearer picture, based on facts.
ICBC costs and injured drivers are rising out of control, largely due to increased vehicle crashes on B.C. roads.There have been 130,000 more crashes in 2014 –2016 than the previous five year average, and 13,000 more casualty crash injuries. Unlike Tom, I think more of the pain and suffering are caused by these unnecessary car crashes. It should not be “just the way it is.”
The main causes of these crashes has not changed much.
Excessive speed, distracted driving and impaired driving continue to be the major causes. Coincidently, crashes increased after the BC Liberals increased speed limits on many roads and introduced a law targeting slow drivers in the left lane. Increasing speed with so many connected to their electronic devices was not the best policy introduced by the BC Liberals. We are paying the price.
So the NDP Attorney General, David Eby, has taken steps to reduce minor injury claim costs, but what will he do, if anything, to address the main causes of increasing crashes on B.C. roads? These are excessive speed, distracted and impaired drivers.
Targeting lawyers may be as popular as was discontinuing photo radar, but neither will reduce car crashes on B.C. roads. Costs will continue to increase -human and economic.
Tom got it wrong. The real problem is not fixed.
Phil Harrison
Comox