A Cambridge intersection and a Kitchener roundabout are at the top of the list of the worst spots for collisions in Waterloo Region.
The rankings are in the region’s annual collision report.
The report also highlights the areas with the most crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.
According to the report, the intersection of King St. at Bishop St. in Cambridge ranks as the most expensive location for vehicle collisions, with 37 crashes between 2016 and 2020. The report said the intersection costs society over $64,000 annually.
“I saw a bus crash right down between king street and bishop street,” said resident James Whitlock.
The location with the most collisions in the past five years is Homer Watson Boulevard at Block Line Rd. in Kitchener. The roundabout has seen 361 crashes in the five years. However, the report said the roundabout is seeing a downward trend in crashes as well as the number of injuries involved each time.
Steffy George walks in the area of the roundabout and said she tends to avoid crossing at the roundabout due to the lack of pedestrian safety measures.
“I usually don’t cross at this place because it is a little scary. It is a roundabout, there is no signal, and the cars busses and everything passes this way,” she said.
According to the report, the roundabout is seeing a downward trend in crashes as well as the number of injuries involved.
But for pedestrians like Steffy George, going to another area to cross the road is what’s needed to ensure a safe crossing.
“It would be good if a traffic light or something else is arranged here so that pedestrians can cross the road,” said George.
When it comes to collisions involving pedestrians, the report ranks University Ave. at Albert St. in Waterloo as the worst location. A total of eight crashes were reported between 2016 and 2020.
For cyclists, Ottawa St. at Strasburg Rd. in Kitchener saw the most crashes, with a total of six in five years.
“I think in the last couple of years it has improved a little bit. But you can always have improvements,” said Sarah Gyorkos, who witnessed a crash nearby.
FEWER COLLISIONS DURING PANDEMIC
The report found the number of collisions overall trended downward during those five years. According to staff, the arrival of the pandemic resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of vehicles on the roads in 2020 and a 32 percent reduction in crashes.
There was also evidence of a shift to more active modes of transportation like walking and cycling during that time.
Regional staff will now create an updated road safety plan for early next year that includes recommended countermeasures to address the top collisions locations.
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