[1]Aaron Partnoy sits comfortably behind the wheel while driving on the highway. Photo by Matthew Blair
By: Matthew Blair
It was hectic on the weekend in Belleville as police responded to over 10 accidents in the city.
Most of the accidents were minor in nature but a few of them caused major damage. A three-car pileup on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Church Street left one car on its hood and a few drivers in the hospital.
A 16-year-old cyclist was also struck on her bike by a vehicle over the weekend and was sent to the hospital.
Accidents such as these can impact on a student’s decision to drive, according to some at Loyalist College.
“I don’t feel safe,” said Loyalist student Marc Theriault. “Too many people drive aggressive and not defensive like they’re supposed to.”
Theriault, originally from New Brunswick, said he’s had more close calls in Belleville in the last three years than his entire life while living at home.
In an annual survey done by Allstate, in 2012, Belleville ranked 13th safest place to drive in Ontario out of 45 communities surveyed. The survey said Belleville has a collision rate of 4.01 per every 100 cars.
“I was never in an accident and don’t feel like I should be worried,” said former Loyalist student Aaron Partnoy. Since leaving school in April, Partnoy makes frequent trips to visit friends in the city. “There’s always going to be a chance of being in an accident wherever I go. I won’t let that stop me from getting to where I need to go.”
Loyalist College student Brandon Acheson said he’s not worried about being on the road.
“I’ve never had problems driving, but when I drive, it’s usually in a straight line with minimal turning, so I still feel pretty safe.”
While rain did drench most of the province on Saturday, its unknown if weather played a factor in the high number of collisions.