Where the Island Hwy meets Bowen/Norwell was home to Nanaimo's highest crash rate last year with 73 collisions. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

crash stats

Busy central Nanaimo intersection reclaims distinction as most crash-prone

Jun 5, 2025 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — A new intersection topped the highest crash location list in the Harbour City in 2024.

Newly released annual ICBC data showed 73 crashes were reported last year at the Island Highway/Bowen Rd/Norwell Dr Intersection, behind only the Douglas St/McKenzie Ave off-ramp in Saanich for Vancouver Island’s highest accident-prone intersection.

Nanaimo’s highest crash intersection, also had Nanaimo’s most collisions in 2022 with 68, as well as in 2020 with 49 crashes, a figure skewed by COVID-19 public health restrictions.

Three of the top four highest frequency crash intersections on Vancouver Island last year were in Nanaimo.

Top ten highest frequency crash intersections in Nanaimo in 2024 (ICBC)

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There were 530 collisions involving vehicles at Nanaimo’s ten leading intersections last year, down slightly from 537 in 2023, according to ICBC.

Annual data from the B.C. government’s Intersection Safety Camera program implemented at 140 high-risk intersections province-wide is expected to be released by July, according to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

A speed and red-light camera is in effect at the Island Hwy/Aulds/Hammond Bay intersection, while a red-light camera oversees the Island Hwy/Bowen/Norwell intersection.

Lantzville’s highest crash intersection last year was the Nanaimo Parkway at Aulds Rd. with 58 collisions, up from 53 in 2023.

Across Vancouver Island, ICBC recorded about 11,600 intersection crashes last year, resulting in nearly 5,400 injuries.

The five-year average for fatalities involving vehicle collisions at Vancouver Island intersections was 10 between 2019 and 2023.

Province-wide, more than 107,000 crashes at intersections were reported to ICBC last year.

Graph of Vancouver Island’s highest crash risk intersections last year. (ICBC)

Notable increase in Parksville/Qualicum Beach

Collisions at Parksville’s highest risk intersections took a significant jump last year, with 99 collisions at the 10-leading intersections, compared to 81 in 2023, representing an 18 per cent increase.

There were 20 crashes last year at Parksville’s Island Hwy/Alberni Hwy/Morrison Ave intersection last year, compared to 11 the year previous

In Qualicum Beach, ICBC data showed 68 crashes last year at the community’s ten leading intersections, up substantially from 48 in 2023, a surge of nearly 30 per cent.

Qualicum Beach’s top crash-prone intersection last year was the Inland Island Hwy at Horne Lake Rd. with 13 crashes.

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