Dear Editor:
I strongly object to ICBCs planned five per cent rate increase to cover the rising costs of claims due to irresponsible distracted drivers.
These drivers should be treated as impaired drivers, bearing the brunt of punitive legislation and rate increases.
When will we responsible drivers get an equivalent rate decrease?
I have had the same good driver discount as long as I have been eligible and yet, I have to pay the same rate increase every time the rates go up to cover the rising costs of claims of irresponsible drivers.
Further, I drive no more than 12,000 kilometres per year, so I pay more per kilometre for my insurance that the average driver that drives 25,000 km per year.
Being on a fixed income – and I mean fixed – I literally cannot afford to pay for irresponsible drivers.
Lets get serious with drivers who make a conscious choice to endanger the lives of other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
In the case of consciously driving distracted, the first offense should cost $500, at least three points and double for the next offense, plus five points and loss of license for three months for any offense after that.
In the case of the conscious choice to drive distracted that results in death, a lifetime ban on driving.
Forget the argument that the license is needed for work.
Driving a motor vehicle improperly can be a matter of life or death and responsibility has a price.
I know there are many other good drivers out there who feel exactly the same way that I do.
It’s only fair that those responsible for bad driving pay the extra costs.
Laurie Rockwell,
Summerland, B.C.
