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VICTORIA – In an ongoing effort to
combat dangerous driving, the Province is providing police with $198,000 for an
additional 33 patrol car video cameras, Solicitor General John van Dongen announced today.
“Video cameras can be a
valuable tool for police to combat dangerous and impaired driving,” said van
Dongen. “In turn, this will help save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. Police officers in British
Columbia do an
excellent job in traffic enforcement and we are pleased to contribute to their
efforts.”
Stephen Martin, superintendent of motor
vehicles, said, “Research has shown that in-car video cameras are effective in
traffic enforcement because this type of driving and behavioural evidence
increases both guilty pleas and convictions. British
Columbia has some of the toughest rules in Canada to crack down on dangerous
and impaired drivers, and this type of
evidence can help to resolve cases more quickly.”
Grants from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General,
Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles
totalling $198,000 will provide 33 camera units at $6,000 each for 11 municipal
police departments in Abbotsford, Central Saanich, Delta, New Westminster, Port
Moody, Nelson, Oak Bay, Saanich, Vancouver, Victoria and West Vancouver.
Currently,
more than 100 video cameras are used by RCMP and integrated road safety units.
The units, deployed on the Lower Mainland and lower Vancouver Island, focus on
traffic enforcement activities, including those targeting dangerous drivers, as
well as high-crash locations.
“This
funding reinforces the government’s commitment to make our highways among the
safest in the country, and provides police with the tools they need to
record violations and present evidence,” said Mike Chadwick, Saanich Police
Deputy Chief and president of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police. “The
members of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police appreciate the assistance
these cameras will provide in accomplishing that.”
The
grant announcement follows Tuesday’s launch of a month-long campaign by ICBC
and police to build drivers’ awareness about dangerous driving and its
consequences. The Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles regulates B.C.
drivers to help ensure safe, responsible operation of motor vehicles across the
province.
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contact: |
Public Affairs Bureau 250 356-6961 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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