Collision count drops by half at high-risk intersections

Prince George RCMP are crediting an enforcement and education campaign for a more-than 50-per-cent drop in the number of collisions at 10 “high-risk” intersections in the city.

According to statistics released Monday, the count for the year ending in March stood at 51, down from 109 for the same period over 2015 and 2016, a 53-per-cent decline.

The detachment’s traffic services section looked at data from 2013, provided by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, to identify the 10 intersections where collisions were most prevalent.

From there, section members stepped up patrols at those spots, keeping their eyes out for impaired and distracted drivers, speeders, drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts and for intersection-related violations.

“We are really happy with these results but we still have work to do,” Sgt. Matt LaBelle, in charge of the detachment’s traffic services section, said.

“Ultimately, we want to eliminate all collisions and the harm that they cause.”

Here’s a closer look at the counts for those spots: • Ferry Avenue and Highway 16, 11 in 2016-17 from 19 in 2015-16, 42 per cent decline. • Cowart-Vance Roads and Highway 16, seven in 2016-17 from 18 in 2015-16, 61 per cent decline. • Highways 16 and 97, one in 2016-17 from 15 in 2015-16, 93 per cent decline. • Domano and Tyner Boulevards at High- way 16, five in 2016-17 from 13 in 201516, 62 per cent decline. • Highway 97-Central Street at 15th Avenue, 10 in 2016-17 from 12 in 2015-16, 17 per cent decline. • 15th Avenue and Ospika Boulevard, one in 2016-17 from nine in 2015-16, 89 per cent decline. • 20th Avenue and Victoria Street, stayed steady at six. • Konrath and Westgate Road at Highway 16, three in 2016-17 from six in 2015-16, 50 per cent decline; • 20th-17th Avenues and Carney-Massey, two in 2016-17 from six in 2015-16, 67 per cent decline; • 15th Avenue-Patricia Boulevard and Victoria Street, steady at five.

Based on 2015 data, RCMP will focus on the following intersections for 2017-18: • Ferry Avenue and Highway 16. • Highways 16-97. • Domano-Tyner Boulevards at Highway 16. • Cowart-Vance Road at Highway 16. • Highway 97 and 10th Avenue. • Highway 97 and Austin Road. • Highway 97 and Fifth Avenue. • 15th Avenue and Ospika Boulevard. • Massey Drive and Westwood Drive. • 20th Avenue and Victoria Street.

RCMP are also urging the public to call the detachment’s non-emergency line if they see a traffic violation, 250-561-3300.

Make note of the time, date and location of the offence, the license plate of the offending vehicle, direction of travel and a general description of the incident.

Callers must also be willing to provide a formal statement to police and be willing to attend court.