No changes are planned at the two Saanich intersections listed by ICBC in a top-10 list of the most dangerous on Vancouver Island, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI).
"The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is monitoring these intersections to determine how these incidents might be mitigated," said a statement from a ministry spokesperson.
The intersection of the Pat Bay Highway (Highway 17) and McKenzie Avenue, topped the ICBC list with 86 crashes in 2023. The intersection of Blanshard Street (Highway 1) and Saanich Road was fifth on the list with 63 crashes.
Most Saanich roads are managed by the district itself, but because the two intersections in question are on major highways, they are managed by the province.
"There are no plans for changes at either location at this time," the ministry statement said. "However, staff continue to communicate with the District of Saanich and the Regional District regarding issues such as this and will continue to consider options to ensure the safety and reliability of the highways on Vancouver Island."
A spokesperson for the District of Saanich did say these intersections have been identified as problem areas in the draft of the Road Safety Action Plan created earlier this year.
This plan aims to adopt a road-safety philosophy called Vision Zero, which means adopting a mindset that road fatalities can and should be completely eliminated. Currently, according to the action plan, there is a crash resulting in an injury an average of every 10 hours in the district.
“We have heard your concerns about road safety and addressing them is a top priority for council,” Mayor Dean Murdock said in a February news release highlighting the draft plan. “We are seeking to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries while ensuring safe, healthy and equitable mobility for everyone.”
