22 - Friday, October 20, 1989 - North Shore News - AUTOMOTIVE S HIGH CASUALTY RATE Campaign aims to improve safety at intersections THIS WEEK we're going to set aside our discus- sions of the various Autoplan coverages to con- centrate on a “‘street-level’’ issue of great impor- tance to everyone buying auto insurance in B.C. This Monday, October 23, ICBC and police forces across the province will begin a two-week concen- trated campaign to bring a littie more sanity and safety to the most dangerous spots on our road system — in- tersections. For two weeks, you'll see and hear messages designed to drive home the fact that our driving habits at intersections must im- prove if we are to make any headway in the efforts to reduce the number and sev- erity of traffic accidents. How dangerous are in- tersections? Last year, nearly 50 per conds. Yet it’s incredible what some people will risk to avoid having to wait. The police will be equip- ped with those new $75 fines Ken Hardie INSURANCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA “stop, look and _listen.”’ Even if most pedestrian ca- sualty accidents are the fault of the motorist, it’s always the pedestrian who gets hurt! - Lack of courtesy is some- thing every motorist and pe- Exira Police Traffic Law Enforcement At intersections Ocicher 23 to November 3, 1989 YOUR LOCAL POLICE 1A BCA Ministry of Solicitor General Trathc Safety Duectorate cent of B.C.’s 31,470 casual- ty accidents happened at an intersection. In the District of North Vancouver, that figure was 48.6 per cent. In the City of North Vancouver it was 57.1 per cent, in Van- couver, 61.7 per cent. By comparison, West Van- couver’s figure was only 31 per cent. Province wide, intersec- tion accidents accounted for 18,000 injuries and 170 deaths. Why do we have so many accidents at intersections? Most of the time it is nothing more than a lack of skil! by drivers or care on the part of pedestrians. Other times it’s a simple lack of concern for others. Driving skills most in need of improvement include properly yielding to oncom- ing traffic and making safe left-hand tuzns. It is difficult to properly judge the speed of a vehicle bearing down on an intersection. Too many motorists misjudge the amount of time and space they have to cross the on- coming traffic or merge into flow. Left-hand turns are made inore safely by pulling into the intersection, keeping wheels pointed straight ahead, and then turning only when there is definitely enough room. If you make a right or left-hand turn from an outside lane, you are supposed to end up on the outside lane once your turn is completed. Did we mention turn signals? Every vehicle has them, but we fear far too many motorists can boast that they traded in a five- year-old vehicle with brand new, origina! equipmcat turn signal lights. Pedestrians, on the other hand, place far too much faith in cross walk signats. Even when the “walk” light is on, the best routine is still destrian can witness just about any day at any in- tersection. The average red light lasts just under 40 se- ASK THE EXPERT for motorists who run yellow or red lights, or motorists who commit other danger- ous infractions at an in- tersection. The Honorabie Angus Ree, solicitor general of B.C. says, *‘Stop lines, stop signs and stop lights don’t stop cars. Only drivers and 4 crashes do. I urge all road users to eliminate crashes as | a way of stopping their cars. When they enter intersec- tions they must be alert and courteous to other drivers.”” To this we add, “An in- § tersection is no place to go to pieces!’’ Please drive carefully. If you have any auto- related questions ICBC would like to hear from you. Write care of ICBC Auto Topics, North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. VIM 2H4. FIVE INQUIRING readers have won each a pair of CN IMAX theatre tickets. The lucky winners were -drawn from ail readers who wrote questions for the North Shore News’ new Ask the Expert column, Ask the Expert will give readers a chance te have automotive-related questions answered by professionals in the field. The new column wil} begin next weck in the News’ Antomotives section. The winners of the CN IMAX tickets are: W.T. Gordon of North Vancouver; Bob Hartman of Wesi Vancouver; Mike Dunne of Delta; Stephen Sverhard of North Vancouver; and M. Fitzgibbons of North Vancouver. These readers’ questions will be answered starting next week. if you have an auto-related question, write to: “Ask the Expert,’”” North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, Nerth Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4. Motorist cracks” under pressure THE TRAFFIC was moving a bit too slowly for one driver to take. Impatience became frustration, and he ended up by taking a swipe at his windshield with his right hand. The blow was hard enough to crack the glass. The sheepish motorist came to ICBC with his tale of woe and a glass claim. Ordinarily, glass claims are the result of a flying rock, not a flying fist. Our adjuster had to determine whether or not the damage was direct and accidental and whether or not it should be the usual comprehensive glass claim or a collision claim. * Decisions like these are often referred to ICBC’s Claims Coverage Commit- tee. In this case, the commit- ’ tee noted that the driver was honest in his description of the incident. And whereas it may have been his intention to vent his frustration by hitting the windshield, he didn’t mean to crack the glass. Given these circumstances, the committee was prepared to accept the damage as ac- cidental. If it had been de- liberate, the motorist would not have had a valid claim. However, they also deter- mined that the loss was the result of the “‘collision ”’ of his hand on the window. A collision ciaim results in a loss of premium discounts on ICBC’s Claim-Rated Scale (there’s no loss for comprehensive claims). So, the motorist will pay for his frustration attack with a higher Autoplan premium when he renews his car in- surance. MAKE THE RIGHT move Ne/dslore TONARDS A BETTER BUYIBETTER SERVICE 711 West 24th St., North Vancouver 987-4458 The Fun 4x4 With A Price That Keeps You Smiling! 1990 Sidekick 4x4 Japan's hottest new 4x4 is here! 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