Top 10 crash intersections of 2013 revealed for Lower Mainland

The Insurance Corporation of B.C. has disclosed the Lower Mainlands most dangerous intersections of 2013 and the worst crash hot spotwas in Burnaby.

Six of the intersections named wereat on- and off-ramps at busy sections ofthe Trans-Canada Highway, also known as Highway 1.

The most dangerous intersection was theWillingdon Avenue on- and off-ramps and turning lane in Burnaby, B.C., which saw 350 collisions.

• On mobile? Click here for an interactive map of the top 10 crash sites

The one thing about the Highway 1 ramps is that theyre high volume areas, so there are a lot of decisions going on, a lot of opportunities for conflict, said John Dickinson, Director of Road Safety for ICBC.

Another major issue is distracted driving. Dickinson says drivers are increasingly paying attention to their mobile devices instead of the road.

If youre in a slow-moving area like an on-ramp, and if its stop and go traffic, people may be tempted to check their devices and not pay attention, said Dickinson.

Vancouver policeagree that distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of dangerous driving.

According to Const. Brian Montague, Vancouver police wrote 10,000 traffic violation tickets for people using an electronic device while driving last year.

Stay off cell phones, dont follow too closely, follow the signage, pay attention to the rules of the road and be courteous to other drivers, says Montague.

Dickinson saidrecent improvements along the Trans-Canada Highway seem to be improving the flow of traffic, but it wont be possible to confirm this until the 2014 numbers come in.

"Were optimistic with new engineering in these intersections that we will see improvements in crash rates there."

Top 10 crash intersections in the Lower Mainland in 2013

1. Willingdon Ave and Trans-Canada Hwy - 350 collisions
2. Brunette Ave and Trans-Canada Hwy - 340collisions
3. Gaglardi Way and Trans-Canada Hwy - 250collisions
4. Knight St Bridge & SE Marine Dr - 230collisions
5. Trans-Canada HWY & 264 St& 56 Ave - 220collisions
6. Kensington Ave & Trans-Canada Hwy - 210collisions
7. Trans-Canada Hwy & 232 St &72 Ave - 190collisions
8. King George Blvd & 88 Ave - 180collisions
9. King George Blvd & 128 St - 170collisions
10. King George Blvd & 72 Ave - 160collisions

Source: ICBCQuick Statistics Report, which attributes these figures to Business Information Warehouse.

According to that report, crash counts of more thanone hundred have been rounded and counts exclude crashes that occurred in parking lots or involved parked vehicles.