Starting on January 1, 2024, drivers will not have to report property damage from a collision to law enforcement unless the cost of that damage is over $5,000. (Photo 71384052 © Phanuwatn | Dreamstime.com)

By Justin Goulet

$5,000 Threshold

Province announces change to reporting damages caused by collisions

Dec 14, 2023 | 2:59 PM

The provincial government has announced a change in reporting damages caused by a vehicle collision.

Starting on January 1, 2024, drivers will not have to report property damage from a collision to law enforcement unless the cost of that damage is over $5,000.

The new $5,000 threshold was chosen to reduce reporting minor collisions, while also making it challenging for fraudulent resales of damaged vehicles.

Officials said the change is expected to free up law enforcement. With the change, police officers and administrative staff can spend more time focusing on public safety than using resources to process collision reports.

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors said, “Traffic accidents happen. Alberta is saving drivers time and money by not having them report simple fender-benders to the police. Thousands of traffic accident reports clog up our justice system and strains police resources.”

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Collisions that result in injuries or fatalities will continue to be reported regardless of the estimated cost of damages. The government said future increases to the collision reporting threshold will be adjusted for inflation based on annual calculations using the Statistics Canada consumer price index. Officials added that the carrier collision reporting threshold will be increased to match the collision reporting threshold of $5,000.

The province last increased its property damage collision reporting threshold to $2,000 from $1,000 on January 1, 2011, and implemented the commercial carrier reporting threshold of $1,000 in 2009.

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by Justin Goulet

Province announces change to reporting damages caused by collisions

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