As British Columbians head into the Victoria Day long weekend, Vancouver police are launching a safety campaign aimed at reducing accidents at intersections.
As part of the campaign, the VPD released video of an accident captured by a police vehicle's on-board camera. The video shows a large truck getting T-boned by a pick-up that ran a red light.
The video was meant to illustrate the dangers of intersections. According to ICBC, more than 40 per cent of all police-attended crashes in B.C. happen at intersections.
"Intersections are dangerous places," said VPD Superintendent Andy Hobbs. "Over the last two years in Vancouver, 35 people died on our streets. Over 70 per cent were at or near intersections."
Part of the campaign includes beefing up enforcement.
"That is happening because the safety of us all requires it to happen," said Hobbs.
Police will do more than hand out tickets. The safety campaign will include radio and TV ads and a website that features an interactive game.
The VPD offers the following advice when driving through intersections:
• When making a left turn, be extra cautious and yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.
• Leave enough space between your car and the one in front of you.
• Leave early and allow for extra travel time in case of delays.
• Yellow lights mean you should stop if you can do it safely.
• Slow down and drive smart
