BCAA unveils 2014 Top 10 "Worst Roads" list

• Silver Star Road near Vernon takes top spot for first time
• Okanagan roads dominate the rankings
• Major increase in traffic congestion frustrations in Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island

BURNABY, BC, June 12, 2014 /CNW/ - After hitting a record number of votes this year, the British Columbia Automobile Association's (BCAA) fourth annual "Worst Roads" survey names the province's Top 10 'worst' roads. Three Okanagan roads top the list; with roads in Richmond, Surrey, Maple Ridge and Vancouver Island also taking spots in the Top 10.

Honoured with the dubious title of being the 'worst' road in the province is Silver Star Road near Vernon, followed by Westside Road near West Kelowna and Cosens Bay Road near Coldstream.

This year, concerned motorists, cyclists and pedestrians identified a record 1,277 separate stretches of road across the province that they feel are unsafe or difficult to navigate. Votes citing traffic congestion as an issue increased significantly.

New to this year's Top 10 "Worst Roads" list are McKenzie Avenue in Victoria for traffic congestion, and Maple Crescent, a residential street in Maple Ridge, for 'pedestrian/cycling safety' issues.

"Votes tripled this year. This says to me that British Columbians want a way to express their road frustrations and appreciate the opportunity to have their say," says Ken Cousin, BCAA's associate vice president of Road Assist. At the same time, Cousin is quick to point out that this survey is not about criticizing government. "It's about safety and helping people to raise awareness of problem roads. We all play a role in being safe on our roads. For drivers, pedestrians or cyclists, it's about being mindful, following the rules of the road and watching your behaviour."

In the coming weeks, BCAA will share the complete survey results with municipalities, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and other road authorities to encourage improvements.

Visit BCAA's website, bcaa.com/worstroads to see the 2014 Top 10 "Worst Roads" list and get tips on how to stay safe on the road when faced with issues such as dangerous potholes, traffic congestion or roads shared by motorists and cyclists.

Other highlights:

• Congestion concerns up - A record 24 per cent of votes cast this year cited traffic congestion as an issue, compared to last year's 14 per cent and 11 per cent in 2012.
• Potholes down - The percentage of votes citing 'potholes/crumbling pavement' has been decreasing over the past few years.
• Okanagan roads rule the "Worst Roads" list - Five Okanagan roads made the top 10, including the worst three.
• Multiple stretches of road make the list - For the first time, different portions of one road have taken multiple places. 'Winner' for the previous two years, Westside Road near West Kelowna, takes second, fourth and ninth spots this year.

As determined by British Columbians in BCAA's "Worst Roads" survey, the top 10 'worst' roads are:

Rank	Road	Approximate geographical location	Main problem cited (%)
1	Silver Star Road	Vernon West of Greenway Road, about 16 km west of Vernon	Potholes/crumbling pavement (95%)
2	Westside Road	West Kelowna About 40 km north of West Kelowna, near Attenborough Road	Potholes/crumbling pavement (84%)
3	Cosens Bay Road	Coldstream About 14 km south of Vernon	Pedestrian/cycling safety (63%)
4	Westside Road	West Kelowna About 17 km north of West Kelowna	Potholes/crumbling pavement (86%)
5	George Massey Tunnel	Richmond	Traffic Congestion (96%)
6	McKenzie Avenue	Victoria At Highway 1	Traffic Congestion (96%)
7	Patullo Bridge	Surrey	Traffic Congestion (85%)
8	Maple Crescent	Maple Ridge At Lorne Ave	Pedestrian/cycling safety (93%)
9	Westside Road	Vernon About 35 km west of Vernon, near Chief Saddleman Road	Potholes/crumbling pavement (83%)
10	Island Hwy	Malahat About 2 km south of Shawnigan Lake Road	Traffic Congestion (80%)

About BCAA
BCAA is one of the most trusted organizations in British Columbia, serving one in four B.C. households. With over 818,000 Members, BCAA provides an array of home, auto, travel and life insurance services, and is renowned for its legendary roadside assistance. J.D. Power has ranked BCAA "Highest In Customer Satisfaction among Home Insurance Providers in Western Canada" three years in a row (2012, 2013 and 2014) - details at jdpower.com. Now in its 108th year, BCAA has over $460 million in annual sales, 27 locations and over 900 employees. To learn more about BCAA's Community Impact Programs and the other benefits of BCAA Membership, visit bcaa.com.

SOURCE: British Columbia Automobile Association

For further information, or to request an interview, please contact:
Niela Melanio, BCAA Communication Specialist
Office: 604-268-5342       
Cell: 778-228-8859
Email: [email protected]