The worst intersection in the PQB area (in terms of motor vehicle accidents) was the intersection of Alberni Highway, Island Highway West and Morison Avenue, according to ICBC collision statistics for 2024.
That spot saw a significant jump to 20 crashes, compared to 11 the year before, with two incidents that caused injuries in 2024.
Not too far behind was Island Highway East at Northwest Bay Logging Road in Nanoose Bay, which increased by one to 16 crashes, and was most dangerous in terms of injuries, at six.
Second in terms of crashes that caused injuries was Corfield Street and Island Highway East with five.
On the positive side, the intersection of Bonnell Creek Bridge, Island Highway East and Northwest Bay Road decreased from 16 in 2023 to eight in 2024.
Last year's worst intersection was Corfield Street and Island Highway East, which decreased to 13 from 17.
The Parksville-Qualicum Beach area intersections with the most crashes in 2024:
1. Alberni Highway, Island Highway West and Morison Avenue (Parksville) - 20
2. Island Highway East and Northwest Bay Logging Road (Nanoose Bay) - 16
3. Corfield Street and Island Highway East (Parksville) - 13
4. Horne Lake Road and Island Highway West (Qualicum Bay) - 13
5. Inland Island Highway, Memorial Avenue and on ramps (Qualicum Beach) - 11
6. Alberni Highway and Despard Avenue (Parksville) - 10
7. Alberni Highway and Inland Island Highway (Parksville) - 8
8. Bonnell Creek Bridge, Island Highway East and Northwest Bay Road (Nanoose Bay) - 8
9. Franklins Gull Road and Island Highway East (Parksville) - 8
10. Island Highway East merge onto Inland Island Highway and Kaye Road - 8
11. Island Highway West and Lee Road (Parksville) - 8
Across B.C., crashes have steadily increased over the last five years to 303,593 in 2024 since the significant reduction in crashes that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a June 4 ICBC news release.
In terms of casualty crashes, where at least one person is injured or killed in a crash, the average annual rate, adjusted for the population in B.C. (per 1,000 people), decreased to 8.8 in 2024 from 8.9 in 2023.
The latest data shows that the number of actively insured vehicles in B.C. has increased year-over-year for the last five years — most recently, from 3.6 million in 2023 to 3.7 million vehicles in 2024.
"As our province continues to experience record population growth, this means there are more vehicles on our roads, which can lead to greater road congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, and ultimately, more crashes," the release stated.
The number of actively licensed drivers in B.C. increased from 3.89 million in 2023 to 3.99 million drivers in 2024.
