New Upgrades to Most Dangerous Vancouver Intersection for Car Accidents

Vancouver’s most dangerous intersection for car accidents and auto injuries is going to get major upgrades.

The City of Vancouver will be hosting an open house to discuss the upcoming upgrades to Vancouver’s most dangerous intersection at Southeast Marine Drive and Knight Street, which has the most car-accident incidents in Vancouver. The city wants to improve the flow of traffic around this major intersection to reduce the number of car accidents and car injuries, make it more accessible and safe for pedestrians and bicyclists and to improve access routes and the flow of the goods.

Proposed Improvements to the Most Dangerous Intersection

Dale Bracewell, Manager, Active Transportation, City of Vancouver explained that 80% of the accidents are attributed to rear-end collisions due to the free-flow channel that allows traffic to exit the north end of the Knight Street Bridge. Improvements will include:

• Improved and reconfigured traffic signals
• New westbound left-turn lane
• Improved north-ramp exit management
• Safer zones for pedestrians and bicyclists, including pedestrian paths
• An additional vehicle lane on the Knight Street Bridge off-ramp

Avoiding Car Accidents at High-Risk Intersections

Heavy traffic near Vancouver’s most dangerous intersection for car accidents.

Many car accidents and car injuries happen because of the sheer volume of traffic that flows through these major intersections. According to ICBC Crash Stats, over a five-year average, over 65,000 crashes occur at BC intersections, causing 34 fatalities. The Knight Street Bridge – SE Marine Drive intersection averages about 230 accidents each year. Almost 30% of all accidents occur at intersections and are usually caused by driver behaviour such as:

• Distracted driving
• Excess speed for weather and traffic conditions
• Not yielding to the right of way
• Running yellow lights
• Failure to obey traffic signals
• Impaired driving

When approaching major intersections it is key to engage in alert and defensive driving practices:

• Slow down, but remain with the flow of traffic
• Always use turn signals when changing lanes
• Access the traffic patterns to anticipate issues
• Remain well behind the car in front of you
• If you have to come to a complete stop, turn on your hazard lights

This intersection has been dubbed Vancouver’s most dangerous intersection since 2012. Vancouver has continually tried to upgrade and make improvements but accidents are still occurring at an alarming rate. The major improvements include the extra lane combined with signalization of the off-ramp, and the separation of the pedestrian lanes will be an enormous safety improvement.

Hopefully, the rate of accidents will dramatically decrease, but accidents are still occurring at intersections. If you have been in an intersection car accident call the experienced personal injury lawyers at Warnett Hallen LLP.

We have the knowledge and the resources both legally and medically to help you through the process of healing after a car-accident injury and getting you fair compensation from ICBC. Our phones are answered 24/7; or you can connect by filling our free-advice consultation form.

Resources:

• City of Vancouver is conducting an open house June 14 at the Vancouver Public Library, Fraserview Branch, 1950 Argyle Drive from 4-8 p.m. If you can not attend, online resources are available to provide feedback.
• City of Vancouver Upgrade Information
• SE Marine Drive & Knight Street Bridge City Info