Throughout the Lower Mainland, volunteers spent more than 100,000 hours delivering road safety programs in their communities in 2012, according to a press release from the Insurance Corporation of B.C.
"Without the tireless efforts of our incredible volunteers, these road safety initiatives would not be possible," said Jill Blacklock, ICBC road safety manager, in a press release. "On behalf of everyone at ICBC, thank you. Your commitment to strengthening the safety of your community will undoubtedly inspire others to do more. You are truly making Burnaby and New Westminster safer places to live."
Speed Watch volunteers in Burnaby and New Westminster contributed more than 1,500 hours to help reduce speed-related crashes in 2012.
With the support of volunteers, speed-related crashes have decreased in B.C. during the last five years. Volunteers use radar and speed-reader boards supplied by the corporation to show drivers how fast they're actually travelling.
The equipment also helps volunteers monitor drivers' speeds throughout their community, including school and playground zones and high crash locations. Research shows it works - more than 70 per cent of drivers traveling 10km/h over the speed limit slow down when they see a speed-reader board.
In 2012, Burnaby and New Westminster volunteers who operate the Lock Out Auto Crime program placed more than 7,700 notices resembling parking tickets onto the windshields of vehicles, many with valuables in sight, offering tips on preventing auto crime.
These volunteers also operate the Stolen Auto Recovery program in Burnaby and New Westminster, and in 2012, they checked approximately 338,000 vehicles to look for signs of theft and help identify stolen vehicles.
In 2012, volunteers throughout the Lower Mainland helped recover more than 150 stolen vehicles. In Burnaby, there has been an 84 per cent decrease in vehicle thefts and 52 per cent decrease in vehicle break-ins since 2003.
To learn more about how to get involved, contact Burnaby's road safety coordinator, Gord Couling, at 604-520-8251.
