Re: Irksome Dogwood Lights are showing benefits (Mirror Wed., June 6)
There is no doubt according to the ICBC figures that there has been a dramatic drop in traffic accidents in Campbell River between 2007 and 2011. I feel, however, that one should be cautious about attributing this drop to the Dogwood light system, however keen Mr. Hadfield may be to take the credit.
1) The drop in accidents along the whole of Dogwood corridor, including the junctions that have not seen any changes has been from 127 accidents to 70. This is just under a third of the total drop from 394 to 252.
2) The decrease in accidents was already apparent in 2009 (by 96), the year the lights were installed. The drop in accidents along the Dogwood corridor that year was 36.
The ICBC figures need to be interpreted properly and other factors that may account for the drop in accident figures need to be considered (changed driving habits? traffic density? population?). It is premature to use them to justify a project of dubious value.
Michael Koblic
Campbell River