Last year’s collision report for Whitecourt flagged an intersection for a closer look

The Whitecourt RCMP detachment provides the Town of Whitecourt’s Planning Department with a collision summary each month. The information is collected during all twelve months and presented to Council as a year-end report. The data enables town staff to map any problem areas or trends that might need a closer look.

During a recent meeting, Jennine Loberg, Director of Planning and Development, provided Council with the 2021 Collision Report. “We did see a slight increase in collisions, from 157 in 2020 to 173 last year. So, up about ten percent. Still, overall, less than what we would see in a five-year average,” explained.

The report stated that the 18 percent decrease in collisions in 2021, compared to the five-year average, could be a possible “side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.” It also stated that if that is the case, there could be an increase in traffic and collisions within Whitecourt as traffic patterns get back to normal.

Along Highway 43, 2021 saw a two percent increase in traffic. “Usually, when we see increases in traffic, we tend to see higher collision rates.” Loberg said there were no “major trends or things that stood out.” The highest collision numbers were on town-controlled streets and intersections. She said that the department flagged one intersection as one to look into further, which was where 55 Avenue and Mink Creek Road meet. “(That was) one that we haven’t typically seen large amounts of collisions in past years, and in 2021 we saw five collisions.”

A review from 2018 showed that speeds along Mink Creek Road were not an issue but that there were higher volumes of traffic on 55 Avenue. As a result, some improvements were made to improve sightlines. “(We) extended some no-parking zones, painted the crosswalk, and added markers. Those were efforts to make improvements in 2018, but we should probably be looking at that intersection again,” explained Loberg.

In looking at the charts, Councillor Braden Lanctot noticed that there hadn’t been any significant incidents and wondered what constituted a “significant incident.” Loberg explained that they would typically point out if there had been fatalities at an intersection or numerous injuries. “Something that would really stick out,” she said.

Councillor Lapointe asked about the five accidents at Mink Creek Road and 55 Avenue. She wondered if there was any further information Administration could provide. Loberg said that since the area was flagged, they did have information on the specific incidents. “We had two left turns across paths. One was a backing up, (one was) a right-angle T-bone collision and one rear end. All of the incidents happened within June and July, and there was only one day where there was some rain.”

A nearby intersection that has seen growing activity, the lights at Dahl Drive and 55 Avenue, will be studied this year. When built in 2014, the intersection predominately saw traffic through Dahl Drive. Recent traffic counts show that 55 Avenue is now used as a primary route to and from the Athabasca Flats East residential area. This year’s study will clarify traffic trends and highlight if the lights need different signal patterns to handle the higher traffic levels.

Councillor Tara Baker queried about the electrical speed sign on 47 Street and asked if there was consideration on placing it elsewhere, such as Blueberry Drive. “(It’s) busy, fast. People are speeding all the time. Does there have to be something (that happens) for those signs to go up? How do you choose?”

CAO Peter Smyl said that the speed sign on 47 Street directly resulted from a resident coming to Council about the intersection (55 Avenue/47 Street), which kickstarted a study. “One concern was speed, but also the intersection is off-centre, so it’s not 90-degree corners. That’s why we looked into it and found out through the study that the sightlines were not being achieved. Jennine and her team recommended, and Kamruz has implemented the proper sightlines.”

To Councillor Baker’s question about the electrical speed sign, Smyl explained that there is a process to help drivers slow down. The first step is to record speeds to see if there is an issue. If speed is proven a problem, the speed sign is advertised and put up, allowing residents to see their speed flash before their eyes. A few weeks after the sign is placed, an RCMP officer sticks close and hands out necessary tickets if drivers don’t slow down. “That’s how Blueberry worked out. We have done a study on Blueberry (in the past).”

Residents concerned with the speed on that street, or any other road, are encouraged to make their voices heard. “Lots of work has been done, but residents are invited to reach out if there are issues. Council can bring issues forward,” said Smyl. He noted that more studies could be done.

Last year, the most frequent collision type in Whitecourt was hit and runs, with 41 incidents. The second-highest category was collisions that involved a driver backing up, with 29. The majority of accidents in Whitecourt were in the Property Damage – Reportable category, with 103 incidents. Thankfully, only thirteen of those ended in injury.