With summer weather prompting more motorcyclists to take to the road, ICBC is urging all drivers to take extra caution, particularly at intersections.
Following up on the release of last May’s interactive vehicle-crash maps for intersections around the province, the corporation has added information on motorcycle crashes.
The maps provide information on motorcycle incidents over the last five years, broken down by region and specific intersections.
Mark Jan Vrem, ICBC spokesman, said the maps are not only good information for motorcyclists, but all drivers on the road.
“The motorcyclists, I think, are pretty careful. The big hazard for them are other drivers,” he said. “As the weather gets warmer, there’s more riders out there and they’re very vulnerable because they’re not protect in a vehicle.”
Statistics show motorcyclists are eight times more likely to be killed and a 41 per cent more likely to be injured in a crash than other road users.
“The maps and the data have been primarily put out for the media, but it’s also a terrific tool for the public,” said Jan Vrem. “A driver can map out his commute to see if there’s a safer way to get to work.”
The motorcycle crash maps are updated annually with 2012 numbers added next spring.
For more information, please go to www.icbc.com, click on newsroom, statistics and facts and motorcycles.
Quick facts
◆ 101 – Number of motorcycle accidents in Nanaimo between 2007-11.
◆ WORST NANAIMO INTERSECTION – Island Highway at Mostar Road with five motorcycle accidents from 2007-11.
◆ SIX – Number of motorcycle accidents on Gabriola Island between 2007-11.
◆ TWO – Number of motorcycle accidents in Lantzville between 2007-11.