There are flashes of safety success at the corner of 15th and Ospika.
Ever since the highly publicized installation of a camera at the crash-prone intersection, the collision numbers have significantly dropped. According to ICBC, there were 20 reported collisions there in 2010 and, although the hard numbers are not in yet for the months following the camera's arrival, police are anecdotally already impressed with the results.
"I know we aren't going there every day, anymore," said Sgt. Al Steinhauser, commander of the city's traffic police. "Since the installation of the camera we have seen a decrease in collisions at that intersection. It was high on our list [seventh worst in the city, in 2010] and we are still working on the numbers but I expect it will be a lot lower on the list when the new numbers come out."
The camera has been operational since Sept. 8, announced in advance by provincial government statements and news stories.
Despite the high level of prior publicity, 19 tickets were issued via the camera in its first 10 weeks.
The camera snaps picture when a vehicle blows a red light. A ticket is issued by mail within 24 hours to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Also under scrutiny will be the camera's effect at surrounding intersections, which also have crash problems. If motorists are conscious of safety laws when passing through 15th Avenue and Ospika Boulevard, perhaps a positive effect will ripple out.
Two vehicles were damaged there Wednesday night, shining a light on why intersection cameras were deployed across B.C.
This latest crash was at the intersection of North Nechako Road and Foothills Boulevard at about 6:30 p.m. There were no serious injuries, but the alleged cause was one driver proceeding against the red light.
The worst intersections for crashes in 2010, according to ICBC, was Highway 16 and Ferry Avenue, with the second worst being Domano/Tyner Boulevard and Highway 16.
Last year's numbers will be released soon.
