Worst Drives of Waterloo Region

February 18, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

The Record released a list of the most accident prone stretches of roads in the ROW. It was based on five years of data along 10 busy traffic corridors in the region. They chose to look at traffic corridors that also included dangerous intersections where more than the expected number of personal injury accidents occur. Many of the personal injuries are a result of vehicle/pedestrian/cyclist/skateboarder collisions and occur mid-block rather than at marked intersections. These collisions are a result of pedestrians darting out into traffic to cross the road, or cyclists and boarders trying to cross the road, or wandering into live traffic lanes. They also include situations with busses and with drivers turning into laneways and hitting people.

The Region is aware of the dangerous stretches and has long term strategies in place to resolve some of the problems. These solutions include the installation of more traffic roundabouts at some stretches, heightened police presence, and enforcement of pedestrian rules regarding use of crosswalks in the university areas, and down town areas.

Have a look at the list below, and remember the best way to avoid any accident is to focus on driving. Don’t be distracted by food, talking on the phone, texting, and your radio.

Safety at 10 corridors, worst to best

1. Hespeler Road in Cambridge, between Pinebush Road and Munch Avenue.

• Rank for intersection dangers: 4
• Rank for midblock dangers: 2
• Consists of 10 intersections, nine midblocks.

2. Ottawa Street South in Kitchener, between Homer Watson Boulevard and Fischer-Hallman Road.

• Rank for intersection dangers: 1
• Rank for midblock dangers: 6
• Consists of 14 intersections, 13 midblocks.

3. University Avenue in Waterloo, between Westmount Road and Weber Street.

• Rank for intersection dangers: 5
• Rank for midblock dangers: 3
• Consists of 14 intersections, 13 midblocks.

4. Fairway Road in Kitchener, between King Street and Manitou Drive.

• Rank for intersection dangers: 2
• Rank for midblock dangers: 7
• Consists of six intersections, eight midblocks.

5. King Street in central Waterloo, between William Street and Central Street.

• Rank for intersection dangers: 9
• Rank for midblock dangers: 1
• Consists of nine intersections, eight midblocks.

6. King/Fountain streets in Preston area of Cambridge.

• Rank for intersection dangers: 3
• Rank for midblock dangers: 8
• Consists of six intersections, five midblocks.

7. Victoria Street North in Kitchener, between Lancaster Street and Frederick Street.

• Rank for intersection dangers: 7
• Rank for midblock dangers: 5
• Consists of 11 intersections, 10 midblocks.

8. The Delta intersection in Cambridge, Hespeler/Water/Coronation/Dundas.

• Rank for intersection dangers: 8
• Rank for midblock dangers: 4
• Consists of 12 intersections, 11 midblocks.

9. Franklin Boulevard in Cambridge, between Pinebush Road and Main Street.

• Rank for intersection dangers: 6
• Rank for midblock dangers: 10
• Consists of 20 intersections, 19 midblocks.

10. Ira Needles Boulevard in Kitchener and Waterloo, between Highview Drive and Erb Street.

• Rank for intersection dangers: 10
• Rank for midblock dangers: 9
• Consists of nine intersections, 10 midblocks.

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.