Hespeler Road / Queen Street Roundabout 86 crashes in 17 months

January 12, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

The roundabout at Hespeler Road and Queen Street in Cambridge is the busiest one in the Region, and the number of car accidents is soaring at the intersection. In the first 17 months of operation it saw 86 accidents. The rate of accidents isn't encouraging and experts and drivers alike are pointing fingers at whom is to blame.

Roundabouts in the Region have been in existence for about ten years but drivers still aren't driving in them properly. Politicians keep saying that drivers are on a learning curve, but it seems to be an awfully long curve paved with accidents. The Record published an article this week that analysed the accident rates at this intersection and found that there are almost six times as many fender benders since the roundabout was installed. The number of personal injuries was reduced though. In the 17 month period with traffic lights there were 9 personal injuries with only 15 collisions. Since the roundabout was installed there have only been 6 injured people in 86 accidents.

This supports the claim by traffic experts that the number of serious injuries and collisions at roundabouts is reduced. Factors that contribute to the reduction include lower speeds and similar traffic direction for all vehicles. There are no T-bone accidents or head on collisions which tend to create more serious injuries.

The Region has repeatedly stated that the cause of most of the accidents in the traffic circles is poor driving habits. Here is yet another reminder of what you need to do when you are driving in a roundabout:

1. Approach slowly and observe for pedestrians. They ALWAYS have the right of way at pedestrian crossings in roundabouts.
2. Yield to traffic in the circle.
3. Signal your intentions:
   1. Turning right - Signal right as you approach the roundabout. Maintain your signal through the roundabout. Maintain your signal as you exit.
   2. Going straight - Do not signal as you approach the roundabout. Signal right prior to your exit only.
   3. Turning left - Signal left as you approach the roundabout. Maintain your signal through the roundabout. Signal right prior to your exit.
   4. Going full circle - (U-turn) Signal left as you approach the roundabout. Maintain your signal through the roundabout. Signal right prior to your

The most common problems are excessive speed, stopping at the yield signs at inappropriate times, not signalling your intentions when entering and leaving the roundabout, and not yielding to pedestrians. Please take time to refresh your own driving skills. You can also watch the new ROW video on driving in roundabouts for more information.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

The opinions expressed here, while intended to provide useful information, should not be interpreted as legal recommendations or advice.