Insurers: Pay attention to these predictors of future collisions

Near-misses involving pedestrians and cyclists in Canada are predictors of future collisions, but there are intersection design features that can help reduce these incidents, says a new study commissioned by CAA.

“The findings are clear, near-misses are not isolated events; they are daily warnings that demand attention,” says Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president of government and community relations at CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO), in a press release. “The results of this study create an opportunity to proactively assess intersection design and implement measures that enhance safety for all road users.”

The seven-month study, commissioned by CAA, uncovered more than 600,000 near-miss incidents across 20 intersections nationwide, creating what CAA calls “the largest dataset of its kind in Canada.” While actual collisions are recorded by police, near misses are not.

Partnering with Miovision, the CAA-funded study used 360-degree cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor and analyze intersections across seven provinces (Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) in real time. “Shockingly, one in every 770 pedestrians and one in every 500 cyclists experience a high-risk or critical near-miss.”

The study found near misses most often involved vehicles making a right turn. More than half (55% of pedestrians and 50% of cyclists) had a close call with a vehicle. More than one-third (34% of pedestrians and 36% of pedestrians) were involved in near-collisions with a left-turning vehicle.

Most Canadian intersections accommodate thousands of pedestrians daily, meaning statistically at least three serious incidents occur at a single location every day.

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“These aren’t just close calls; they are collisions waiting to happen,” says Di Felice. “By pinpointing near-miss hotspots, municipalities can now prioritize upgrades that prevent collisions before they happen.”

The study highlights key design features proven to reduce near-misses. These include:

• Dedicated left-turn lanes to prevent dangerous interactions
• Leading pedestrian intervals, allowing pedestrians to start crossing before vehicles move
• Advanced green lights for left-turning vehicles, reducing hesitation and confusion.

“Cities that implement these solutions can dramatically decrease the risk of collisions and make their streets safer for all road users,” CAA says in the release.

Traditional road safety measures rely on collision data, meaning changes only happen after injuries occur, CAA notes.

“Near-miss tracking is the next step in proactive safety planning, allowing experts to prevent crashes before they happen. CAA is urging municipal and provincial leaders to embrace technology-driven safety monitoring, citing the compelling benefits revealed by this study.”

Jason Contant

Jason has been an award-winning journalist with Canadian Underwriter for more than a decade, including the past three years as associate editor and, before that, as digital editor for seven years.