ICBC has just dropped its latest crash stats for 2024, and while the numbers are up across BC, Vancouver Island has had its roughest year in half a decade.
According to the data, Vancouver Island saw a whopping 41,506 crashes reported to ICBC last year — the highest number in five years.
For comparison, Vancouver Island’s five-year average sits around 38,700 crashes annually. Province-wide, BC racked up 303,593 crashes in 2024, with a five-year average of 257,987.
July was the worst month for crashes on Vancouver Island, with 3,866 incidents, followed closely by August with 3,698.
When it comes to injuries and fatalities, 5,820 people were hurt or killed in 2024 — just below the five-year average of 6,024. June and November were the most dangerous months for casualties, recording 523 and 505 respectively.
ICBC also broke down where the worst crashes happened — and surprise, surprise: Nanaimo had more than its fair share of problem intersections, with Saanich seeing problems at several as well.
Here are the 10 worst intersections on Vancouver Island in 2024, based on crash volume:
- Douglas Street and McKenzie Avenue (Saanich) – 87 crashes
- Bowen Road and Island Highway North & Norwell Drive (Nanaimo) – 73 crashes
- Aulds Road and Hammond Bay Road & Island Highway North (Nanaimo) – 72 crashes
- Island Highway North and Metral Drive & Mostar Road (Nanaimo) – 68 crashes
- Millstream Road and Trans-Canada Highway (Langford) – 65 crashes
- Admirals Road and McKenzie Avenue (Saanich) – 64 crashes
- Enterprise Street and Island Highway North (Nanaimo) – 64 crashes
- Aulds Road and Nanaimo Parkway near Lantzville/Nanaimo boundary – 58 crashes
- Tillicum Road and Galloping Goose Trail & Trans-Canada Highway (Saanich) – 58 crashes
- Goldstream Avenue and Veterans Memorial Parkway (Langford) – 57 crashes
- Patricia Bay Highway and Sayward Road (Saanich) also hit 57 crashes in 2024
In total, there were 11,612 crashes at intersections across Vancouver Island in 2024, leading to 5,365 injuries — noticeably higher than the five-year average of 10,399 crashes.
Fatalities (defined by ICBC as anyone who died within 30 days of a crash) were slightly above the five-year average, with 11 deaths in 2024, compared to an average of 10.
Whether you’re driving in Nanaimo, Saanich, or Langford, it’s a good reminder to take an extra second at those lights — especially during the summer months.
