Intersections being watched
Const. George Teixeira (right) and Const. Phil Paterson monitor traffic coming down the Cedar Valley Connector and pull over speeders.
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Updated: November 19, 2009 3:39 PM
When you’re speeding through an amber light, you’re likely not going to notice the vehicle turning left in the other lane, or the police officer at the corner watching you.
When people rush, they tend to engage in high-risk driving behaviour, such as speeding, ignoring traffic controls, or just being inattentive, said Don Miller, ICBC road safety coordinator for the Lower Mainland region. All these factors are common causes of car crashes.
It’s important to be vigilant when you’re driving, especially around intersections, said Miller.
That why ICBC is teaming up with local police this month to highlight intersection safety throughout B.C. Local police are stepping up enforcement and community policing volunteers will be set up more often to remind drivers to slow down.
“Our goal is to help people adopt smarter driving choices,” said Miller, adding the campaign will target high crash locations in communities.
In Mission, the corner where Cedar Valley Connector meets Highway 11 and the Lougheed Highway is where most accidents occur. Last year there were 105 crashes at this location, more than four times higher than the second highest crash location at Seventh Avenue and Cedar Street, where there were 25 reported accidents in 2008.
The other locations listed in ICBC’s top five crash locations are Hurd Street and Lougheed Highway and Rai Avenue; Lougheed Highway and Wren Street; and First Avenue at Glasgow Avenue and at Murray Street. Each of these locations had 20 crashes.
All these figures are rounded to the nearest five.
According to police data, 40 per cent of crashes happen at intersections, added Miller. “Slow down, focus on driving, and use caution on the road.”
Miller also offered the following tips to motorists:
• As you approach an intersection, check the light ahead. Stop for a yellow, unless it’s unsafe.
• Check mirrors and look around
• Use your turn signals well in advance
• Don’t change lanes in an intersection
• After the light turns green, check the intersection is clear before going through
• Slow down and see more of the road.
“Any intersection can be a bad place if you’re not driving safely,” said Miller.
