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Let ICBC keep money from tickets

Re: “B.C.’s red-light cameras now recording 24/7,” Aug. 8. The timing of the government’s announcement that the intersection cameras are now operating 24/7 is deliberate.

Re: “B.C.’s red-light cameras now recording 24/7,” Aug. 8.

The timing of the government’s announcement that the intersection cameras are now operating 24/7 is deliberate. We are to take comfort that the government is getting tough with high-risk drivers while it is about to announce increases in the basic and optional ICBC rates for the coming year.

Missing from the announcement was an explanation of why the annual ticket-fine revenue (estimated by ICBC at $17 million) is given to municipalities, while the operating costs (about $4 million) are paid by ICBC policyholders.

At a time when ICBC is cutting coverage levels to deal with its financial crisis, the government should end this subsidy to the municipalities and allow ICBC to retain the ticket revenue to help balance its books.

Richard McCandless

Saanich