Red light cameras at the Island Hwy. and Bowen Rd./Norwell Dr. intersection have been capturing drivers running the light at increasingly frequency through 2022. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

red means stop

Provincial data shows stunning increase of red light runners at Nanaimo intersection

Apr 3, 2023 | 1:23 PM

NANAIMO — An increasing number of motorists don’t appear to be motivated to follow basic rules of the road, in particular at one local intersection.

Newly released data from the ministry of transportation and infrastructure showed 663 motorists were fined for blowing red lights at the Island Hwy./Norwell Dr./Bowen Rd. intersection last year.

The number represents an alarming 150 per cent increase compared to 2021 data when 266 tickets were issued.

Provincial data showed a previous multi-year reduction in the number of motorists stopping when supposed to, and not proceeding through the intersection when the light was red.

Overall there were 998 violators last year at Nanaimo’s two provincially monitored intersections, compared to 767 last year, an increase of 23 per cent.

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Traffic data shows a sharp reversal of driver habits along the Island Hwy. in 2022. (NanaimoNewsNOW illustration)

While the central Nanaimo intersection traffic camera is only set up to nab red light violators, the Island Hwy./Aulds Rd./Hammond Bay Rd. intersection captures both red light runners and speeders.

The north Nanaimo intersection saw improvements last year in terms of violators, where 129 tickets were issued for those disobeying red lights, (169 in 2021) and 209 speeding fines were applied, down 38 per cent from the 332 violations in 2021.

Province-wide 117,389 speed and red light violators were ticketed as part of the province’s intersection safety program last year, down from 113,357 violators in 2021.

The fastest vehicle captured in the province last year by an intersection safety camera was 171 kilometres per hour in a 60 kilometre per hour zone.

The cameras are in place at 140 high-crash intersections around B.C., with 105 equipped to catch red light violators and 35 tracking both red light violators and speed infractions.

Speed thresholds required to produce tickets at the monitored intersections are not revealed by the province.

The intersection is clearly labelled as one with a red light camera, warning drivers of the enforcement. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes