In an attempt to save the time of both drivers and law enforcement, the Alberta government is increasing the property damage collision reporting threshold.
Starting on January 1, this threshold will be going up from $2,000 to $5,000. This increase was chosen to help reduce reporting of minor collisions while also preventing the fraudulent resale of damaged vehicles.
Another benefit is the hope that this could clear up the time of law enforcement, who commit a significant number of resources towards processing collision reports. These changes could give officers more time to improve public safety.
“We continue to cut red tape by increasing the collision reporting threshold. Waiting in line to file a report is stressful, time-consuming and takes you away from your work and family,” said Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction. “This change will alleviate that stress and get you back on the road faster.”
The last increase in the threshold was back in 2011, when it was doubled from $1,000 to $2,000. The provincial government added that they will be adjusting the threshold based on inflation annually.
However, police will still respond to collisions that result in injury or death, regardless of the property damage.
