Anyone who’s driven through in or around Baltimore knows that traffic can be a nightmare.
However, some areas have higher accident rates than others, and they should be avoided or approached with extra caution whenever possible.
The Most Dangerous Intersections in Baltimore
According to Baltimore’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, the 10 intersections where accidents occur most often are:
- West Franklin Street and North Payson Street
- Orleans Street and Ensor Street
- West North Avenue and North Fulton Avenue
- South Monroe Street and Washington Boulevard
- West North Avenue and North Howard Street
- Clifton Avenue and Denison Street
- Lombard Street and Light Street
- Reisterstown Road and Gwynns Falls Parkway
- West Pratt Street and South Paca Street
- Erdman Avenue and Belair Road
Why Are These Intersections Prone to Accidents?
Some factors that make these 10 Baltimore intersections particularly prone to accidents include:
- Many of these intersections feature four or more lanes on both roads, which leads to more merging, turning, and lane-change conflicts.
- Several locations have left-turn lanes with signals that often allow permissive left turns. That means drivers frequently make rushed decisions while facing oncoming traffic.
- Despite the 30 mph speed limit in much of downtown, many drivers still speed through these injuries. Speeding drivers have less control of their vehicles, and high speeds also lead to harder impacts and more severe injuries.
- Many signals at these intersections allow right turns on red. Drivers turning right might roll forward and not see people in crosswalks in time, leading to pedestrian accidents.
- These roads experience heavy commuter traffic, increasing the risk of crashes due to the sheer number of vehicles.
- Crosswalk coverage at these intersections varies. Accordingly, some corners leave people more exposed to oncoming cars because they have fewer clear crossing options.
Tips for Staying Safe at Dangerous Intersections
Following some common-sense safety precautions can significantly reduce your chances of an intersection accident in Baltimore. Here are a few ways that Baltimore residents can reduce the risk of a car accident:
- Slow down early and stop fully at red lights and stop signs, even when traffic feels light.
- Scan left, right, and left again before you enter the intersection, and keep checking as you move through.
- Treat every left turn as a high-risk move, and wait for a clear gap instead of forcing it.
- Watch for drivers who rush yellow lights or run red lights, especially during rush hour and late at night.
- Avoid distractions like texting, eating, or adjusting your GPS.
- Leave extra space behind the car ahead of you, since sudden stops happen often at busy intersections.
- Use turn signals with plenty of notice, and look twice for motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters before merging or turning.
- When walking downtown, make sure to use marked crosswalks, obey signals, and make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street.
How a Baltimore Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Baltimore’s roads can be dangerous regardless of how careful a driver you are.
If you’ve been involved in an intersection accident here, the car accident attorneys at Greenberg Law Offices is here to fight for the fair compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost income, and more.
We’ll handle all the legal work in your case, giving you the time and space to focus on healing – and we’ll do it without charging any out-of-pocket attorney fees.
Call now or complete our contact form for your free case review.
