Tires screeching, airbags deploying, glass shattering—vehicle collisions can be a terrifying and an all too common experience in our province. From fender benders to serious crashes, the number of car accidents are on the rise in BC—a continuing trend that’s showing no signs of slowing down. According to ICBC, there were approximately 300,000 vehicle accidents reported in 2015—that’s up a whopping 20,000 from the previous year. As shocking as these numbers are, truth is, many of these accidents could have been prevented. To help you stay safe out there, here are some of our handy ICBC repair shop tips on how to avoid being another statistic.
Distracted Drive
We’re all guilty of it. Checking our smartphones to read the latest text is a dangerous (and illegal) habit many of us simply refuse to kick. So, it really should come as no surprise that distracting driving is the leading cause of car accidents on the road today. It’s crucial that drivers get the message to put their phones down. Stashing your smartphone away when you drive will not only help prevent collisions, but also save you a ton of cash. Distracted drivers who get caught will be slapped with a $368 traffic violation, plus a $175 ICBC Driver Penalty Point premium ticket, bringing the total to $543. That’s an expensive text message.
Impaired Drivers
You’d think with everything we know about the dangers of mixing alcohol and driving, people would get the message—but many haven’t. Believe it or not, driving under the influence is still a leading cause of accidents. Despite heftier fines and stricter penalties, scores of folks continue to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. If you’re going out for a night on the town, take public transit, grab a cab, or call someone to pick you up. You’ll save yourself a trip to the hospital and an ICBC repair shop.
Reckless Drivers
Carelessly changing lanes, speeding over the posted limit, running red lights, failing to yield to other vehicles—operating your vehicle in a reckless manner can put you and others at serious risk, not to mention land your vehicle in an ICBC repair shop. To avoid careless accidents, give yourself plenty of time to get to where you’re going, be aware of your surroundings, follow the traffic laws, and don’t forget to keep that road rage in check.
Tired Drivers
Getting behind the wheel of your vehicle is never a good idea when you’re tired. After all, night driving can be challenging enough without adding fatigue to the mix. In the blink of an eye, you could swerve into the wrong lane and cause a head-on collision. If you’re peepers are starting to droop when you’re driving, there are several things you can do to stay alert. For starters, open the widows and let the oxygen flow, listen to an audiobook, or crank up the volume of your music. Better yet, pull over for some rest until you’re ready to get back on the road. The best way to beat the odds of a collision begins and ends with you. Before you even get in your vehicle, make sure to remove any in-car distractions and focus on what matters most—getting to your destination safe and sound.
For an ICBC repair shop with the highest industry standards, contact On Line Collision today!
