- ICBC is replacing 140 aging intersection safety cameras throughout B.C. to keep supporting safer driving and preventing crashes
- Work has begun and continues in phases until spring 2027, so drivers will see little disruption
- RoadSafetyBC reports fewer drivers run red lights at intersections with cameras
People travelling through some of B.C.’s highest-risk intersections will continue to benefit from a proven road safety program as ICBC begins replacing all 140 intersection safety cameras with modern technology.
The intersection safety camera program will continue to help reduce dangerous driving behaviours, such as red-light running and excessive speeding, prevent crashes and improve safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians throughout the province.
“Intersections are where drivers, cyclists and pedestrians all share the road, and where some of the most serious crashes in B.C. occur,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General and minister responsible for ICBC. “Upgrading these cameras with modern technology will help ensure a proven road safety program continues to reduce dangerous driving and prevent crashes for years to come. This is part of our government’s commitment to keep people in B.C. safe on the roads they use every day.”
Every day, thousands of people travel through high-risk intersections in areas such as Metro Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna and Prince George. The cameras record drivers who run red lights, and 35 of the cameras also record drivers who speed. Warning signs at each location notify drivers that the cameras are there.
The current cameras are at the end of their working life. ICBC selected Jenoptik Canada through a competitive procurement to supply and install the new cameras and to maintain them for as long as 10 years. The new cameras will have higher resolution and similar enforcement and data capabilities as the previous cameras.
Program continues to improve road safety
The program is helping reduce speeding, prevent crashes and improve road safety.
- RoadSafetyBC reports fewer drivers are running red lights at all 140 camera locations and the cameras have helped reduce serious crashes, including side-impact, head-on and pedestrian crashes.
- During the past five years, red-light infractions have decreased 13% and repeat red-light offenders have declined 29%.
- At the 35 intersections with cameras where speed infractions can result in tickets for speeding, the number of drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 km/h has decreased 52% during the past three years.
The replacement is happening in phases:
- Existing cameras will remain operational while the new cameras are installed.
- Approximately 90 locations will require minor road or sidewalk work to install new poles and wiring.
- Work at each of the 90 sites is expected to take approximately two weeks.
- Traffic offences, fines and penalties will not change.
- ICBC and Jenoptik Canada are working with municipalities on permits and what to expect at each site.
- The Province is updating regulations under the Motor Vehicle Act to allow the new camera model to be used in B.C.
“Keeping people safe is a top priority for our government and that’s why we are working to make our roads safer for everyone,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “These upgraded cameras will support enforcement efforts by identifying drivers who speed or run red lights, putting other road users at risk. We will continue working with ICBC, police and local governments to encourage safe driving, increase compliance with traffic laws and hold dangerous drivers accountable.”
ICBC’s road safety investment in the new cameras is $67 million over the life of the contract. The contract award is posted on the BC Bid website.
“The cameras we’re replacing have served B.C. well, but they’re reaching the end of their life,” said Jason McDaniel, president and CEO, ICBC. “This new technology is a part of our plan to invest even more in road safety initiatives. It will help better target high-risk driving behaviour and provide better data to keep improving the program, supporting the goal of reducing crashes and injuries, while helping keep insurance affordable for our customers.”
ICBC and the Province are working to ensure the program continues to deliver long-term safety benefits. This supports the BC Road Safety Strategy’s vision of zero fatalities and serious injuries on B.C. roads, while helping keep communities safe and connected.
- The camera intersections were chosen through data analysis of high-risk intersections throughout B.C., to find where red-light running and speeding cause the most serious crashes.
- B.C.’s intersection safety camera program has operated since 1999 as a partnership between the Province, ICBC and police.
- Speeding tickets were added at 35 of the intersections in the summer of 2019.
- Violation tickets issued through the cameras are mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner, and net ticket revenue is returned to B.C. municipalities to support policing and public-safety programs.
- All camera locations are public on the RoadSafetyBC website and ICBC website.
- To see where the intersection safety cameras are, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/roadsafetybc/intersection-safety-cameras/where-the-cameras-are
- To learn about the BC Road Safety Strategy, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/roadsafetybc/strategy
- To learn about government’s work to keep people safe and communities strong, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/safe-communities
