Law enforcement officers and volunteers will be watching for high-risk driving behviour along the Lougheed Highway corridor today (May 15) as part of ICBC’s high risk driving campaign this month.
Project Swoop will begin in Vancouver near the Burnaby border and continue through to Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Mission.
It will involve multiple jurisdictions and police departments, said Don Miller, ICBC road safety coordinator for Mission and Abbotsford.
Project Swoop has been tried before in other jurisdictions, but this is the first time in Mission, noted Miller.
High risk driving behaviour includes unsafe lane changes, not stopping for lights at intersections, failing to yield, and speeding.
Mission RCMP and speed watch volunteers will be set up in the Silverdale area for the project.
According to ICBC statistics 43 per cent of all crashes in B.C. is a result of failing to yield, and 60 per cent of all crashes happen at intersections.
On average, 3,600 crashes that happen in the Lower Mainland resulting in injuries or death, are caused by high-risk driving, said Miller, advising motorists to scan intersections as they approach, shoulder check to look for cyclists, and be prepared to encounter pedestrians on the road.
“Give yourself plenty of travel time and don’t pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk,” said Miller.
As the weather improves, there will be more motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians on the road, Miller added.
For more safe driving tips, visit icbc.com.