Sept 12 - Councillors push for safer intersections

Good morning !

Today we’re looking at the push for safer intersections, Umo in Victoria, and a new addition to “spice up” this weekend’s Rifflandia lineup. Apparently last weekend’s Electric Avenue saw the festival’s highest turnout with 8,000 people in attendance for Saturday’s show.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 17 / 11

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 20 / 10

Day after: ☀️ 22 / 10

7-day weather forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Councillors push for more red light cameras in CRD

Two Victoria councillors want speed cameras and more red light cameras surveilling city intersections.

Couns. Dave Thompson and Matt Dell are calling on the mayor to request that the province install cameras at all locations that saw more than 20 casualty crashes (crashes that caused injury or death). Council plans to ask other CRD municipalities to request the same.

Currently there’s only one red light camera—at Lansdowne/Hillside and Shelbourne—and there are no speed cameras in the city.

According to ICBC data, 98% of crashes reported to ICBC between 2018 and 2022 happened at other intersections.

Red light and speed cameras help drivers obey traffic signals, reducing the risk of accidents, according to the BC government. The majority of the province’s vehicle crashes occur at intersections.

Earlier this month, a 76-year-old woman was killed at a Saanich crosswalk and an SUV crashed into a BC Transit bus at Douglas and Bay.

In July, Capital Daily reported on Greater Victoria’s most dangerous intersections, with Saanich seeing the highest number of casualty crashes at intersections near the highway. There were over 4,000 casualty crashes in Greater Victoria during the 2018-2022 reporting period and more than 5,000 for the entire Island.

Top 5 most dangerous intersections in Greater Victoria:

1. The turnoff for the Pat Bay Highway at McKenzie (116 casualty crashes in the four-year period)

2. Intersection of the Pat Bay and Sayward Road (114 casualty crashes)

3. Langford intersection at Trans-Canada Highway and the Veterans Memorial Parkway (112 casualty crashes)

4. Admirals and McKenzie at the Trans-Canada, with 109 casualty crashes, though it had the highest number of crashes overall at 267. This was a significant drop from its previous casualty crash rate—157 casualty crashes from 2017-21. The drop is likely attributable to the overpass that began service in mid-2020

5. Blanshard and Saanich Road, en route to the Pat Bay Highway (108 casualty crashes)

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Odour advisory: McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant under repairs; odours in Esquimalt area likely this week.

NEWS

BC Transit launches Umo in Victoria Regional Transit System

After months (read: years) of anticipation, BC Transit finally unveiled a tap-to-pay feature for Victoria buses last month.

The new electronic fare system known as Umo, pronounced “you-mo”, was implemented on Aug. 23. The system introduces contactless payment methods and new fare products that will improve the transit experience by allowing riders to pick the best options for their lifestyle and travel habits, BC Transit touted.

“I am so excited to take this giant leap to achieve our goal of making BC Transit 'your best transportation solution,’” said Christy Ridout, VP of strategy and public affairs at BC Transit. “We heard our riders when they asked for a new way to pay their fare and we are so pleased to provide them with the innovative Umo solution.

“With that said, we recognize innovation means changes to habits, and BC Transit is committed to supporting our riders while they make this transition. We promise no rider will be left behind without support from the Umo customer service call centre, upcoming public engagement events, support at bus stops, and our amazing onboard customer service.”

Most riders welcomed it with open arms while some critiques regarding payment methods and schedules have been levied.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

Spice Girl added to Rifflandia lineup: Melanie C—AKA Sporty Spice—will perform on Sunday at the festival.

🗞️ In Other News

Victoria Grandmothers for Africa complete journey: Thirty grannies finished the 275-kilometre, three-day cycle to Mile Zero from Campbell River on Sunday. The fundraising ride has been taking place since 2006, raising more than $2M to help grandmothers in Africa raise children orphaned by HIV. [CHEK]

Crime rate perceived to be up, police perception poll finds: In its latest quarterly report card, VicPD says 67% of Victorians think crime has increased over the last year (though the actual crime rate has remained static), 12% said they felt taken care of by the force, and 12% said they found the police service to be accountable. Homelessness is the No. 1 (22%) issue they want VicPD to address

Nanaimo man restoring century-old tug boat: Casey Haynes bought the 55-foot Nanaimo Tillicum in 2014, and is fixing it up in Ladysmith Harbour. Haynes plans to live on the tug, previously christened Dan King from launch to 1934, then Tarzan II until 1956. [Nanaimo News Now]

UVic has tough weekend on the pitch: Brianne McLeish scored UVic’s lone goal as the women’s soccer squad dropped its home opener 4-1 to Trinity Western University on Friday. The men drew 1-1 with TWU. Saturday, UVic’s women's rugby team opened its season with a 29-12 loss to UBC. The men's rugby team was pounded 52-12 by Pacific Pride, the Rugby Canada U23 development team. [More here]

Premier promises expert task force into climate emergencies: David Eby—speaking from the Interior as he toured wildfire zones—says the province needs to improve prevention and response measures for wildfires, drought, and heat emergencies. [Castanet]

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🗓️ Things to do

🎤 Dax at Wicket Hall: The Canadian rapper will perform tonight.

🤣 Ok, Dope Stand-up Comedy Tour: Dan Duvall and friends will showcase their comedy at the Langford Legion.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Monday’s headlines: Island municipalities deal with short-term housing, residents ticketed for parking near homes, and the best fall treats. [Capital Daily]

No full-time janitor at 18 SD61 schools: Number of full-time school cleaners dwindling as number of students rise. [CTV]

Fire at Dallas Road Beach burned up 300 sq. ft. of greenery over the weekend.

The best Indian restaurants in Greater Victoria, as voted by readers like you. [Tasting Victoria]

That’s it!

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