Top Victoria Crash Hotspots Identified

Crashes occur in almost every intersection and interchange on Vancouver Island. In fact, between 2013 and 2017, ICBC has recorded an average of 11,000 accidents per year. To help municipalities determine the spots that need a safety upgrade, ICBC and certain research entities release road collision statistics each year. Here is a summary of 2017’s top 10 crash intersections on Vancouver Island:

As reported in the years between 2005 and 2010, the top ten Victoria crash hotspots along with the number of recorded collisions were identified as:

1. Hillside Avenue and Shelbourne Street, 312 collisions
2. Burnside Road E, Douglas Street and Turning Lane, 250 collisions
3. Douglas Street and Finlayson Street, 250 collisions
4. Douglas Street, Burnside Road E, Hillside Ave and Turning Lane, 237 collisions
5. Blanchard Street and Hillside Avenue, 232 collisions
6. Bay Street and Blanchard Street, 192 collisions
7. Blanchard Street and Finlayson Street, 184 collisions
8. Hillside Street and Quadra Street, 158 collisions
9. Cook Street and Hillside Street, 157 collisions
10. Bay Street and Quadra Street, 148 collisions

An official from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) traffic services blames sheer volume as the main cause, given that the interchanges were designed some 50 years ago when traffic was low. Impatient motorists tend to speed, and not leave enough room for the driver ahead. Should the latter make an abrupt stop, rear-end collisions follow. In addition, many motorists engage in distracted driving, paying attention to a wide variety of things, including smartphones instead of the road. Police have reportedly written about 10,000 tickets in the past year for high-risk driving, including distracted driving.

When you’re involved in a crash on Vancouver Island, here are some important notes from local injury lawyers:

1. Get help. Call 9-1-1 if anybody is hurt. Note that immediately after the accident many people disregard minor pain as a result of adrenaline (“the accident rush”), however, many people find themselves in significant pain days after the accident and some have serious conditions arise as a result of the accident that are only identified later. Do not dismiss minor pain, seek medical attention and do not declare that you have been unharmed by the accident until you can be certain that is the case.

2. Gather accident details. Get contact info, take photos and write down details such as the date, time, location, license numbers, witnesses, the road signs, conditions, weather, speed limits, what you were doing when the accident occurred and vehicular positioning.

3. Make note of all costs and inconveniences experienced due to the accident including towing costs, transportation, medical diagnosis and expenses, time spent off work due to pains and discomfort and how it impedes your normal functioning.

Consult with experienced BC injury lawyers skilled in handling ICBC injury claims, such as those at League and Williams, to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. You will need an experienced and effective lawyer if you need to pursue a claim for personal injuries. League and Williams offers free consultations, actively works to enable their clients to recover from their injuries, and does not get paid until the client does.  League and Williams may be contacted at 250-888-0002 or by email at info@leaguelaw.com.

Source: Accident-prone Metro home to all top 10 crash sites, The Vancouver Sun

Source: Top 10 crash intersections in Metro Vancouver, VanCityBuzz.com