Road safety

​​​Investing in road improvements

Why do we spend money on roads? Fewer crashes mean fewer injuries and wrecked cars—and fewer insurance claims. 

Since 1990, we’ve invested approximately $225 million in over 8,3​00 road improvement projects​ across B.C., and we're committed to continuing to making roads safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.​ 

The most recent evaluation pdf concluded that, over three years, our road improvement program led to:

  • A 24 per cent average reduction in crashes that led to injuries and fatalities

  • A 15 per cent average reduction in crashes that led to property damage

  • 69 out of 72 urban intersections seeing a reduction in severe incidents

  • All 39 rural intersections seeing a reduction in such incidents

The evaluation also concluded that every $1 spent on road improvements across B.C. resulted in an average of $4.70 in savings.

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) installed near school crosswalks in Oak Bay (left) and Parksville (right). When activated by pedestrian movement or a push button, RRFBs emit a high-intensity flashing light to drivers on both sides of a crosswalk.

A community effort

We work with a variety of stakeholders and experts on road improvements, including engineers, municipalities around the province and the Ministry of Transportation.

We also consult with other road safety experts on technologies and initiatives that can prevent crashes, including:

  • Anti-skid treatments that reduce crash frequency

  • Roundabouts that improve traffic flow and reduce crashes

  • Traffic signal and road sign upgrades

  • Installation of Uninterrupted Power Supply systems, which ensure traffic signals work during power outages

  • Rumble strips on roads with a history of centre-line crossovers and off-road incidents

  • Studies and audits that help maintain and improve road safety

As new tools and technologies aim to make roads even safer, we aim to study — and where appropriate, implement — emerging improvements that show promising benefits for road safety in B.C.

Fix a dangerous road in your community

If you have a suggestion for how to make a road or intersection in your community safer, you can contact your local municipality or send us your feedback