ICBC is urging drivers to plan when venturing out this long weekend and be extra cautious on the roads when traveling through heavily populated areas.
The BC Ministry of Transportation says congestion will be a factor on many routes as the province nears the second last long weekend of summer and before students go back to school.
According to statistics gathered by ICBC, Vancouver Island has seen an increase in traffic accidents involving pedestrians over the past three years, with close to 190,000 crashes since 2020, so being alert and vigilant is even more important than ever.
The City of Nanaimo holds second place in the number of crashes on the island with 15,557 since 2020 which is just behind Victoria with 22,139.
According to ICBC’s website, 5,752 crashes happened at intersections in Nanaimo with 206 accidents occurring around Aulds Road and Hammond Bay Road over the past three years.
ICBC says 80 per cent of crashes occur at intersections and involve pedestrians, when drivers fail to yield, or they are distracted by their phones.
The long weekend will cause an increase in the amount of foot traffic around the island, but ICBC says some helpful tips when navigating intersections are to leave the phone alone, be ready to yield to pedestrians especially when turning and near transit stops and pay attention to your surroundings.
During the Canada Day long weekend BC Ferries said an estimated 12,186 passengers took the Departure Bay terminal route which means drivers should be ready for anything this August long weekend.
