What makes a bad driver? ICBC launches public consultations

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The province’s public auto insurer is asking British Columbians what they consider a bad driver to be as they look to overhaul rates and pull the beleaguered crown corporation out of debt.

The consultations, which began Monday, aim to eventually make bad drivers pay more and good drivers less.

“Drivers have been saying for years that the system would be more fair if low-risk drivers paid less for their vehicle insurance, while high-risk drivers paid more,” Attorney General David Eby said. “This engagement is one way government is giving drivers the power to shape ICBC and restore public confidence in our public insurer.”

According to Steve Wallace with Wallace Driving School, bad driving is all about attitude.

“People think it’s skill, people think it’s safety, people think it’s a whole host of things,” he said. “There are certain people who have a psychological makeup, and they are self-centred as opposed to feel-centred.”

So he says the province should focus on rewarding good driving, rather than punishing bad behaviour.

“They should be using the carrot instead of the stick… the stick is good, but the carrot will work better,” he said.

The province used to offer an incentive to young drivers to take a course which included a reduced waiting period and high school credits. Wallace says since the incentive was removed, enrollment has dropped from 15,000 people a year to just 5,000.

The consultations will run until April 5.

With a projected loss of $1.3 billion this year alone, ICBC has been described as a “financial dumpster fire” by Attorney General David Eby.

The province is already capping payouts for soft body injury claims at $5,500 by next year.

March also marked the start of increased penalties for drivers who use electronic devices while behind the wheel. Offenders caught twice within three years could face increased insurance rates and fines up to $2,000.

Also starting Monday, some police in Delta will begin piloting new electronic traffic violation tickets. The new system is supposed to increase ticket accuracy, while making the information easily accessible and transferable to ICBC and offer drivers the ability to pay fines online.

Vancouver will begin piloting the project on April 2, while Prince George Municipal and North District RCMP will follow on April 16 and the Capital Regional District Integrated Road Safety Unit on April 30. The pilot program will wrap in mid-May and report to the ministry in the summer.