B.C. seeing fewer car break-ins and collisions: ICBC

ICBC’s most recent report includes some positive news for drivers in the province.

Over the last 10 years, auto crime and crashes have decreased in B.C.

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According to the public insurer, drivers in the province caused 307,400 crashes in 2025, three per cent fewer motor-vehicle collisions than in 2016.

The lowest number of crashes was recorded in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with about 225,000 incidents – 100,000 fewer than in 2017.

With 21 per cent fewer crashes that involve injuries, this trend is even more significant when the damage goes beyond a fender bender.

ICBC attributes the development to changes in driving patterns that motorists adopted following the pandemic.

“In 2016, we had just over 323,000 crashes in our province and over 62,000 of those involved in injury,” said ICBC spokesperson Greg Harper.

“Fast forward to 2025, we’re talking about just over 307,000 and just over 50,000 injuries.”

Drivers also seem to be more careful around pedestrians.

The insurer tallied more than 350 fewer cases of pedestrian-involved crashes in 2025 than in 2016.

At the height of the pandemic, that number was down to 1,824.

A less positive trend is the number of crashes involving cyclists, as those incidents have rebounded to above pre-pandemic numbers.

3,160 of those crashes were reported in 2025, up from 3,060 in 2016.

During 2020 and 2021, those numbers were down to 2,283 and 2,491, respectively.

Vehicle break-ins dropped by 60 per cent

ICBC is also recording 31 per cent fewer cases of crimes related to vehicles.

While vandalism has only dropped slightly, the incidents of stolen vehicles and break-ins have decreased significantly.

46 per cent fewer cars were reported stolen than 10 years ago, and even 60 per cent fewer break-ins occurred in the same time period.

ICBC highlights that these trends are happening despite a larger number of registered vehicles on B.C. roads.

“That’s pretty significant,” Harper said.

According to the insurer’s data, hybrid vehicles are rising in popularity among British Columbians.

“In 2023, nearly 32,000 hybrids were purchased in B.C. and in 2025, nearly 52,000 were purchased, so that’s an increase of 33 per cent,” Harper explained.

After 2023, hybrid vehicles have exceeded electric vehicle registrations each year, as the purchase of electric cars has dropped to fewer than 23,000 in 2025.

With 127,193 registrations, gas-powered vehicles remain the top choice of consumers.

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