Top collision locations in Edmonton for 2013 revealed

EDMONTON – Yellowhead Trail and 149 Street saw the most traffic collisions in 2013, according to Edmonton’s Office of Traffic Safety.

For 2013, the top 10 collision locations were:

1. Yellowhead Tr & 149 St (82 Collisions)

2. 107 Ave & 142 St (80 Collisions)

3. 23 Ave & 91 St (64 Collisions)

4. 90 Ave & 85 St (63 Collisions)

5. Yellowhead Tr & 127 St (60 Collisions)

6. 118 Ave & Groat Road (59 Collisions)

7. 137 Ave & 97 St (58 Collisions)

8. Whitemud Dr WB & Gateway Blvd (58 Collisions)

9. 87 Ave & 170 St (58 Collisions)

10. High Level Bridge (56 Collisions)

Last year, the intersection of Yellowhead Trail and 149 Street saw 82 crashes. In 2012, the same spot saw 76 crashes.

“People are coming in at high rates of highway speed, and they’re not adapting to the urban environment,” explained Gerry Shimko, executive director of Traffic Safety for the City of Edmonton. “So, 149 and Yellowhead is the first stop that actually forces you to stop coming into the city.”

The 2013 list is not final, and is still subject to change until Feb. 24.

Three of the high-collision spots on the list are traffic circles.

“Most traffic circles have a capacity of about 25,000 to 30,000 vehicles that come into them, and if that shifts, or there’s too many of those, then it starts gridlock,” said Shimko.

“They’ve kind of outgrown what they were designed for 30 years ago, so we need to look at some new models in terms of improving traffic flow.”

To compare, the top ten collision locations for 2012 were:

1. 23 Ave & 91 St (76 Collisions)

2. Yellowhead Tr & 149 St (74 Collisions)

3. Whitemud Dr WB & Gateway Blvd (59 Collisions)

4. Whitemud Dr EB & Calgary Tr (58 Collisions)

5. Yellowhead Tr & 127 St (55 Collisions)

6. Whitemud Dr & 122 St (54 Collisions)

7. 107 Ave & 142 St (52 Collisions)

8. 167 Ave & 97 St (50 Collisions)

9. High Level Bridge (50 Collisions)

10. 118 Ave & Groat Rd (49 Collisions)