jal advertising feature

rt

The signs of a new driver

NEW drivers in B.C. are spending more time learning the complex tasks of being on the road under the new Graduated Licensing Program (GLP).

Since the B.C. Government and ICBC intro- duced Graduated Licensing in August 1998, 39,000 new drivers have entered the learner stage of the program. 26,000 drivers are now in the novice stage of the program.

New driver signs:

During both the learncr and novice stages, drivers are required to display a new dri- ver sign. In the learner stage, drivers display a red sign with the letter “L.” @ Drivers who have complet- ed the learner stage and are now in the novice stage of the Graduated ' Licensing rogram lay green signs with the ise Ne

The new driver signs alert other drivers to give more room on the road and more patience to the new driver.

In addition, all GLP dri-

vers are under special scrutiny for their driving records. Their penalty point threshold is much lower before being prohibited from driving.

Driver Training:

With the introduction of graduated licensing, driver training schools have also introduced new courses based on the ICBC driver education curriculum which will help produce safer drivers who have received courses from specially qualified instructors.

There are now about 150 ICBC-approved driver educa- tion courses in dozens of communities throughout the province. A full list is avail- able on ICBC’s Web site at <www.icbe.com>.

New Driver Conditions:

New drivers face a number of conditions under graduat- ed licensing. In the learner stage — which lasts for a min- imum of six months (can be reduced by three months with approved driver educa- tion) — new drivers must dis- play the new driver sign, they cannot drive after consuming any amount of alcohol; they must only operate a vehicle

“@APEX

with a fully licensed adule supervisor who is at least 19 years of age; they may have oniy one other passenger in the vehicle; and they are nor allowed to drive between midnight and 5:00 3.m. Once a_uew driver has passed the first road test. the driver graduates to the novice stage, which lasts 9 minimum of 18 months. During this stage, the driver is not required to be accompanied by a qualified supervising adult. The time of day driving condition is removed, but the no-alcohol condition remains. The new driver sign must be displayed. After com- pleting this stage, the new driver is eligible to take a Level 2 road test to obtain a class 5 licence. The first advanced tests will be con- ducted in early 2000. Equivalent —_ conditions apply for motorcycle riders. Other facts: @ Graduated licensing was introduced in 1998 as part of B.C.’s comprehensive road safety programs aimed at sav- ing lives, reducing crashes and keeping auto insurance rates affordabic. @ The goal of graduated licensing is to help reduce crashes among new drivers. Before GLP, one in five new drivers was involved in a crash in the first two years on the

road.

@ More than 80,000 new dri- vers enter the licensing sys- tem in British Columbia each year.

@ New drivers — regardless of age — are at a significantly greater risk (twice as likely) of being involved in a collision than experienced drivers are.

M Six other provinces have introduced full or partial graduated licensing systems: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland (as of January 1, 1999) and Saskatchewan. Alberta. and The Yukon Territory are considering a graduated licensing program. @ Evaluations of graduated licensing programs in the states of Maryland, California, Oregon and in New Zealand have shown a five to 16% reduction in new driver crashes.

B Ontario introduced gradu- ated licensing in 1994. An interim evaluation of that province’s program and the results of the 1996 Ontario Road Safety Annuai Report show that the Ontario pro- gram is working. Results of the interim report on gradu- ated licensing, show that over- all collisions by novice drivers are down by 31% and that fatality and injury rates among new drivers are down by 24% in Ontario.

} Speed Watch

\

THROUGHOUT 5.C., volunteers are helping the patice and ICBC encourage drivers to slow dewn

and be careful. These mambers of

mith

Speed Watch ues a radar gun end digital display board to show passing motoriste thelr speed.

MoriLe REFRIGERATION & CONDITIONING SERVICE Retrn Fitting, Discharging, Recharging R134A

Servicing North Shore's Body Shops, Mechanical Shops and Dealers. All jobs done on the spot.

18-2493: Fax: 983-0315 |

ICBC will be on call 24 hours a day

soximately 300 le work at the Ic Be peop

call centve in Surrey. . the Lower Mainland, the ‘number

to call is 520-8222.. In other parts of the

ICEC customers can now call the corporation at any time of the day on any day of the week

In November of 1998, a pilot project showed strong customer support for 24- hour-a-dzy claims service with each

DRIVE WITH CARE THIS SUMMER

— Quirepian PARK GEORGIA INSURANCE

1705 Marine Drive North Vancouver 990-0808 Open 7 days

Quality above all eise since 1960 guaranteed color matching « lifetime warranty unitized frame specislists * total accuracy to factory specs * LC.B.C. claim handied promptly service cars available Canada wide solid gold paint warranty

| Richmond Auto Body {Curtis Johnsen GR A-PARA

Fax# 994-2499 945 W. ist St. H. Van

for claim service.

The expanded hours of operation fol- low fast year’s addition of Dial-a-Claim service on Saturdays and Sundays.

overnight shift handling more than 125 calls.

Department handles about 16,000 calls a weck from customers throughout B.C.

. : province, the toll free number is 1-800- ~ The ICBC Telephone Claims 910-ICBC (4222). If you are calling from out of B.C., the toll free number is 1-800-667-7740. wee

How to avoid intersection accidents |

From page 28

@ Don’t enter the intersec- tion if traffic is backed up on the other side. You might nor be able to clear the intersec- tion before the light changes and Pia be stuck in the middle.

le. @ Accelerate moderately to fit in with waffic flow.

H@ Ignore aggressive drivers

should they honk their horns at you.

@ Watch for cyclists and pedestrians at all times, espe- cially when visibility is poor. You must yield to them when making a turn.

At railway crossings:

@ Trains always have the right-of-way. Slow down when you see the “railway crossing ahead” sign and be

“KEEPING BODIES-4

btn)

1.¢.B.€. Claims Specialists

© Replacement cars © Written guarantee

* State-of-the-art equipment ¢ Skilled technicians

@ Ail collision repairs handled promptly

987-4408

Fax 987-7441

ee

142 Fell Ave North Vancouver 3,

prepared to stop. Check both

directions before crossing. Tips for cyclists:

@ As a cyclist you should obey

the same rules-of-the-road as

motorists.

@ Be aware of traffic and

make eye contact with drivers

at intersections.

@ Always signal well in

advance. j @ Use a headlight and rear

light or flasher between dusk and dawn. @ Wear bright clothing with reflective patches. Wear 2 hel- B Do not j ligh not jump green lights and don’e ride through an intersection on a yellow light. @ Ride in a straight line with- out weaving betwecn parked © cars. Tips for pedestrians: ® Watch for drivers making unexpected moves. Assume dzivers can’t see you. ® Use the pedestrian tights if the iatersection is equipped with them, but check the intersection before stepping . onto the crosswalk or road. Count to three and loox around, even if the light says it’s vour turn to cross. @ If there aren’t any pedestri- an crossing lights, then wait until it is safe to cross, keep your head up and make eye contact with drivers. 2 Watch, for green turn arrows and don’t cross the street on them. You are cut- ting motorists off from mak- ing their turns. @ Make yourself visible by wearing bright clothing.