Unsafe drivers should pay more: ICBC

The B.C. government is putting the brakes on plans byICBC toraise rates fordrivers who rack up speeding tickets, run red lights or causecollisions.

The provincially-owned insurance company said Wednesdayit plans to overhaul its rate structure to reward safe drivers and punish those with traffic violations. The penalties would cover all moving violations, including unsafe passing, following too close, and running a red light.

But the news was given a rough ride in the legislature later in the day, with NDP MLA John Horgan telling the house, "Stop the highway robbery. End it before it starts."

Public SafetyMinister and Solicitor General Shirley Bond said she wanted to reassure B.C. drivers that the ICBC planwould only proceed if it was fair and reasonable.

"I think I share the concerns that imply that even if you have a single speeding ticket you should be deemed a bad driver in British Columbia," Bond said.

Bond says she wouldhave a "thorough discussion" with corporation officials before the increaseswould be allowed.

Spokesman Mark Jan Vrem said earlier thatthe corporation has been listening to motorists who say safe drivers should not have to pay the same rates as those with speeding tickets or those who've caused a couple of collisions.

"We agree with those customers. It's not fair to those customers with clean driving records. So we're proposing these changes to the B.C. Utilities Commission," said Jan Vrem.

Minister questions threshold

Bond said that ICBC should not just penalize problem drivers.

"I do think British Columbians think if you are a better driver there potentially should be bigger benefits," said Bond.

If the commission approves the changes, those with clean driving records will pay less and about one third of drivers will pay more.

It won't happen right away, but drivers are already being warned to slow down. Jan Vrem says the corporation wants to phase in the changes starting in 2014, but the new rates could be based on moving violations before that date.

ICBC says the changes are not a cash grab and will be revenue neutrala claim critics are likely to challenge. Any rate increase would also be limited to about five or six per cent a year, he said.