May 15, 2014 | News
Whether you’re heading out for a camping trip or visiting family, the B.C. government, police and ICBC are asking you to give yourself plenty of time and focus on the road this long weekend.
Every year over the May long weekend, an average of two people are killed and 490 injured in 1,700 crashes throughout B.C.
Police will be targeting all high-risk driving behaviours this long weekend including failing to yield, speeding, following too closely and ignoring a traffic control device, as part of this month’s high-risk driving campaign. These driving behaviours contribute to almost half (44 per cent) of all police-reported crashes that result in injuries or fatalities on our roads.
ICBC tips:
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Think ahead: If you’ll be taking a road trip, check the road and weather conditions for your entire trip at drivebc.ca before you head out. Even if the roads look clear, be realistic about your travel times since there will be more vehicles on our highways. Plan rest stops every couple of hours to avoid becoming fatigued while driving.
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Get your vehicle ready: Long trips can be hard on your vehicle, so make sure it’s up to the drive. It’s a great time of year to give your vehicle a good check-up. Remember to check your engine oil, washer fluid and lights. Take a look at your tires too, including the spare, to make sure they are in good condition and properly inflated.
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Watch out for vulnerable road users: Warmer spring weather encourages more motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians on our roads. We all need to share our roads together safely. As a driver, we have a particular responsibility to help keep vulnerable road users safe so actively watch for other road users and make eye contact with them so they know that you see them.
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Keep your distance: Whether you’re going on a long or short trip, always maintain a safe travelling distance between vehicles. Allow at least two seconds of following distance in good weather and road conditions, and at least three seconds on high-speed roads or if you’re behind a motorcycle since it has a much shorter stopping distance.
For more tips, please visit icbc.com/road-safety.
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May 5, 2014 | News
High-risk driving, which includes failing to yield, speeding, following too closely and ignoring a traffic control device, contributes to almost half (44 per cent) of all police-reported crashes that result in injuries or fatalities each year in B.C.
The Insurance Corporation of BC and police have launched a month long high-risk driving campaign at an intersection in Vancouver where a mock crash was set-up to show the consequences of underestimating the time it takes to make a left-hand turn safely.
Determining if it’s safe to make a left-hand turn at an intersection is not always easy. Drivers need to consider the speed of oncoming traffic, the time it will take to cross each lane and accelerate to the speed of traffic.
“As the weather improves, motorists can expect to find themselves sharing the road with more motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Use caution, be aware of other road users, and stay focused on the road.”
Police will be stepping up enforcement during the month of May targeting all high-risk driving behaviours including failing to yield, speeding, following too closely and ignoring a traffic control device.
“High-risk driving behaviours such as tailgating, failing to yield or speeding have no place on our roadways,” said Chief Officer Neil Dubord, Chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee. “Drivers have to be responsible for their actions, pay attention and focus on driving. As police officers, we see the heartbreaking effects that result from bad driving behaviours – we will be out in full-force across the province to let you know that we are serious about reducing these senseless crashes that are so easily prevented.”
“We’re asking drivers not to underestimate the time and space required to make a left-hand turn safely,” said John Dickinson, ICBC’s director of road safety. “Don’t panic if the light turns yellow while you’re waiting to make a left-hand turn. You’re legally allowed to complete your turn if you’re already in the intersection, but watch for approaching vehicles, especially for drivers trying to beat the red light.”
The high-risk driving campaign aims to change driver attitudes and behaviours. Here are yielding and intersection safety tips from ICBC:
- When making a left-hand turn at an intersection controlled by traffic lights, don’t rush, yield to oncoming traffic, including cyclists and motorcyclists, as well as pedestrians. Don’t panic if the light turns yellow while you’re waiting to make a left-hand turn. You’re legally allowed to complete your turn if you’re already in the intersection, but watch for approaching vehicles, especially for drivers trying to beat the red light.
- To determine whether the gap in traffic is enough to allow for a safe left-hand turn, consider the speed of oncoming vehicles, the time it will take to complete the turn and accelerate to the speed of traffic.
- If there is any doubt about who has the right-of-way or if there is any chance of a crash, it’s always better to yield to the other person.
- Always yield to pedestrians and follow directions from crossing guards and traffic control people.
- When crossing a bike lane to turn right or to pull to the side of the road, be sure to signal well ahead and yield to cyclists.
- Always yield to emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights and sirens. All traffic moving in both directions must stop. (Exception: if you’re on a divided highway and the emergency vehicle is on the other side of the median, you may not need to stop.)
For more tips and information on this year’s campaign, visit icbc.com.
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Keep up with the latest Canadian Insurance news at ILStv.com
Dec 20, 2013 | News
Snow is in the forecast across the country, from a chance of snow in Vancouver, to snow on top of more snow in Alberta and the Maritimes. Winter driving is an important skill in our country, and with the holidays coming up the roads will be busier than ever. Share these winter driving tips with your insurance clients and help keep everyone safe on the road.
1. Avoid the winter slip ‘n’ slide: To ensure your vehicle is ready for Canada’s changing winter weather, switch your all-season tires to winter ones before the temperature drops below 7°C. Winter tires optimize the performance and safety of winter driving. Not convinced you need them? Consider that the braking distance of a winter tire could be up to two vehicle lengths shorter than the braking distance of an all-season tire rolling at 24 km/h.
2. Defrost your windows well: Neglecting to defrost your windows might get you to your destination faster, but it’s a dangerous habit. Plan for a few extra minutes to clean all your car’s windows well. And don’t forget to clear off the top of your vehicle—snow could slide down the windshield and obstruct your view while the vehicle is in motion.
3. Winterize your trunk: Keeping a roadside safety kit in your trunk year-round is a good idea, but winter driving conditions require extra safety equipment. Make sure you’re carrying a scraper for the windshield, a small shovel, a sandbag, candles, and warm clothing like gloves and a hat.
4. Replace worn tires: It’s important to check your tires each winter season because worn or bald tires can be dangerous. Tires have tread wear indicator bars molded into them. A solid bar of rubber across the width of the tread means it’s time to replace the tire.
5. Don’t mix and match: Mixing tires with different tread patterns, different internal constructions and/or different sizes compromises the stability of the vehicle. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with four identical winter tires.
6. Top up your fluids: Always keep your gas tank at least half full. On very cold days, the condensation in the tank can freeze and cause problems. Also, don’t forget about your windshield-washer fluid – this is also extremely important on those sunny day!
7. Pump up your tires: For every 5°C drop in temperature, tires lose one pound of air pressure. To ensure optimum fuel efficiency and prevent irregular or premature wear, tire inflation should be checked monthly.
8. See and be seen: It is critical for drivers to see and be seen in low light conditions, and when blowing snow impairs visibility. Always drive with your headlights on.
9. Take a cellphone: For long trips, don’t forget to take a cellphone in case you need to call for help. Pull over to the side of the road and stop your vehicle before making the call.
10. Drop your speed to match road conditions: The posted speed is the maximum speed under ideal conditions. In winter, it is safer to drive below the posted speed. No matter how much experience you have, the way your car will move on snow or ice always has an element of unpredictability.
Stay safe over the holiday season! Are you an insurance agent looking for a greater understanding of vehicle insurance in your province? ILScorp has online courses for ICBC Autoplan Agents in BC and an Ontario Auto Expert continuing education course. Visit ILScorp.com to learn more about our online continuing education courses for insurance agents.
Dec 18, 2013 | News
Planning to visit Grandma’s or spending Christmas in Paris? Traveling over the holidays can be notoriously busy, expensive and stressful, but the news isn’t all bad. Check out these 10 holiday travel tips and find some joy this season.
1. Avoid peak travel dates.
Travel off-peak whenever possible. Fortunately, Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Wednesdays this year, so travel will likely be more spread out than normal, with no obvious peak days.
2. Book early.
Fares are only rising, so those who hold out in hopes of a late-breaking sale are likely to get left out in the cold or pay a very steep price for their procrastination. Be prepared to be flexible with dates and flight times.
3. Shop around.
Comparison shopping has never been easier. During peak travel season, casting the net as wide as possible will help you understand all of your options. For many travellers, price isn’t the only or even the most important factor, especially during the holidays. Thoughtful, deliberate use of the “search adjacent days or airports” features found on many websites may also surrender greatly improved fares and travel times.
4. Know your airports.
Checking alternate airports is a pretty standard tactic, but at this time of year it can really make a difference. You can score on almost every front – parking, rental cars, traffic to and from, nearby hotels – and save both time and money. Smaller airports see fewer flights and therefore, typically, fewer delays.
5. Plot connections carefully.
When booking flights, check your search results carefully for sufficient time during layovers, and build in some time for flight delays and weather woes. Avoiding really tight connections may save you a sprint through the terminal or a missed flight.
6. Leave early.
During peak travel times, many of the delays you’ll face lie on this side of security, from traffic jams and full parking lots to absent shuttles and long lines. Rather than striving to “arrive at the airport early,” you may want to try to “leave for the airport early” to anticipate the peripheral delays you may encounter.
7. Pack wisely.
In the past, you may have been able to fit everything into your carry-on without having to check any baggage – a strategy we still recommend. However, the TSA rules about liquids and gels make this a trickier proposition. When packing, keep in mind that most airlines are now charging travellers a fee for checking any bags on domestic flights (and even some international ones).
8. Use the Web for more than just booking.
The latest self-service developments in online travel can be tremendous time-savers during peak travel times. Whenever possible, print your boarding passes at home, use check-in kiosks or even pull up your boarding pass on your smartphone. Consider doing your holiday shopping online and having your gifts shipped to your destination.
9. Travel early or late in the day.
As a rule, airports are least congested at times when most people would rather be at home or asleep. Delays are far less likely for morning flights, and airports usually unclog as the afternoon and evening peak passes. Caveat: Staffing can be spotty for really early flights, so although your flight is highly likely to be ready to leave on time, check-in may take a while, along with other personnel-dependent steps like riding shuttle buses.
10. Consider package deals.
Peak travel periods can be the best time to buy package deals, even for folks who would never buy one, as the bundled pricing offered by packages can be very competitive, even (or especially) at times of high demand.
A Few Bonus Tips:
- Be prepared for more than the usual slowdowns at security. Even though the TSA’s liquid and gel rules have been around for many years now, folks who fly very rarely may not be familiar with all the ins and outs, and the newer full body scanners could catch even frequent travellers off guard.
- Gas up the night before you travel; no one leaves enough time for buying gas on the way to the airport.
- Investigate your frequent flier options to get better (and better guaranteed) seats.
- Keep your cool. Airline employees have considerable power over your well-being. Unfortunately, many enjoy wielding it against you, and few respond well to anger.
- Have phone numbers for everything: your hotel, your car rental agency, your airline, friends at your destination.
- Choose non-stop flights. The worst, most brutal delays occur in connecting airports, where you have no home, friends or family to retreat to.
- With airlines continuing to cut back on service, it’s more important than ever to confirm your flight several days before you leave – that way you’ll have a little leeway to make alternate plans if necessary.
- Don’t overpack even checked luggage; overstuffed bags that must be opened for a security check are much harder to repack.
- Do not wrap gifts, especially if you intend to carry them on the plane. Even in checked baggage, there is a strong chance they will be unwrapped for inspection by security personnel. Consider gift bags instead of wrapping paper this holiday season – you can easily remove the items from their bags if required and you don’t have to do a last-minute wrapping job at your destination.
- Give your cell phone a full charge, and write down or program the phone number of your airline so you can call easily as your flight time approaches.
Excerpted from the Independent Traveler
Want to ensure that your clients are properly protected over the holidays? Review their vehicle coverages as well as travel medical insurance policies with them before they head off on their trip. Not sure what they’ll need? ILScorp has hundreds of hours of online, accredited continuing education classes for insurance agents, to get you up to speed.
