The Provincial government confirms 140 red-light cameras in B.C. are now live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The cameras had been operating just 6 hours a day, but BC's Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth, says full activation is overdue as the cameras are a proven deterrent to red-light runners.
According to ICBC an evaluation done in 2015 found a 5% reduction for severe crashes and overall 2.9% reduction of all crashes at intersections with cameras.
The insurance agency adds the goal of the program is to change driver behaviour in order to prevent crashes, injuries and death -- not to generate tickets.
Last year there were a record 350-thousand crashes across the province -- with about 60% (210-thousand) ocurring at intersections.
ICBC says given the anticipated change in driver behaviour as a result of the increased camera activation, they and other partners will continue to monitor impact of the program.
Of the 140 intersections deemed "high-crash" areas, 2 are in Greater Victoria -- they are located at Hillside and Shelbourne, and Trans Canada Highway and Tillicum.