ICBC recognizes Campbell River and area volunteers for helping make B.C. roads safer as part of National Volunteer Week, April 10-16.
In recognition of National Volunteer Week, ICBC is thanking Campbell River, Sayward, Quadra Island and Gold River volunteers for their continued support in making our communities safer through road safety programs including Speed Watch, Lock Out Auto Crime and the Stolen Auto Recovery program.
“Volunteers make a difference in communities right across the province,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “National Volunteer Week gives us the opportunity to express our appreciation for all the great work that takes place because volunteers care passionately about their communities. Nearly 50 road safety volunteers and eight community policing offices and police detachments in Campbell River and the surrounding area are focused on ensuring our communities are safer. Thank you to each volunteer who makes these important initiatives possible. You are making a difference.”
“The extraordinary dedication to road safety shown by these volunteers and community policing offices is remarkable and truly appreciated,” said Jon Schubert, ICBC’s president and CEO. “On behalf of all our customers and ICBC employees, thank you!”
In 2010, Speed Watch volunteers in Campbell River and the surrounding area contributed over 340 hours to help reduce speed-related crashes in their communities. With the support of volunteers, speed-related crashes have steadily decreased in B.C. over the last five years. Volunteers use radar and speed-reader boards supplied by ICBC to show drivers how fast they’re actually traveling. Research shows that it works – over 70 per cent of drivers traveling 10km/h over the speed limit slow down when they see a speed-reader board.
In 2010, Lock Out Auto Crime volunteers in Campbell River and the surrounding area handed out over 400 notices to drivers to draw attention to the risk of auto theft. Volunteers place notices resembling parking tickets on the windshields of vehicles, many with garage door openers or valuables in sight, offering the owners common sense tips for preventing auto theft.
These volunteers also operate the Stolen Auto Recovery program in Campbell River and the surrounding area, and in 2010, they scanned over 9,000 licence plates to help identify stolen vehicles. Each year, volunteers help to recover hundreds of stolen vehicles in B.C.
“These volunteers work tirelessly,” said Caroline Robinson, local ICBC road safety coordinator. “Many give up their Friday evenings to go out on a cold, rainy night to try to locate stolen vehicles or spend their afternoon scanning busy parking lots for unsecured vehicles to help protect owners from becoming a victim of auto crime. With their support, we’ve seen an astounding 65 per cent decrease in auto crime in B.C. since 2003.”
Drop by your neighbourhood community policing office to see how you can get involved and help keep your community safe.