Collisions down 4% in the region
Posted Oct 22, 2013 11:45:23 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Some good news for drivers across Waterloo Region. According to the latest Collision Report, collisions fell by 4% in 2012 to one of the lowest numbers the Region has seen in the past ten years.
The report indicates 5795 collisions occurred in 2012 – a number we haven’t seen since 2009.
Regional Manager of Transportation Engineering, Bob Henderson tells 570 News this is thanks to “initiatives that we’re doing, in particular road safety initiatives, as well as enforcement initiatives and education initiatives.”
He adds higher quality cars on the road also contribute to these numbers.
The report from Regional Staff shows fatalities and injuries fell as well, but not all those using the roads saw a decrease in collisions.
Last year saw three more crashes involving pedestrians, twenty-six more involving cyclists, and two more with horse-drawn buggies.
On top of that a staggering 53 collisions were reported on the busiest roundabout in the region at Homer Watson Blvd and Block Line Rd in Kitchener; double what was expected.
Henderson says it’s important to note that the other 17 roundabouts in the Region are performing well but this one seems to be an exception.
“We’ve done a number of measures including improvements to pavement markings, signing and educational initiatives and the numbers are coming down but not as fast as we’d like to see.”
Henderson adds they will be looking for a recommendation to put raised cross-walks at that intersection which could be implemented as early as next year.
Homer Watson Blvd and Ottawa St. continues to hold the most collisions in the Region with 209 crashes over 5 years. This area is planned to be a roundabout in 2015.
If you’re walking from point A to B, the most dangerous intersection is at King St and University Ave with 11 collisions involving pedestrians in the past 5 years.
And if you’re on a bike, show extra caution in Cambridge on Hespeler Rd at Munch Ave/Isherwood Ave with 7 collisions involving cyclists there over a 5 year period.
