Driving on today’s high-speed interstates and often overcrowded surface streets can test the ability of any driver. In 2018, there were 1,031 traffic fatalities in Illinois, most of them on busy city streets. And of the crashes that occur on city streets, quite a few clusters around intersections.
Why are intersections dangerous? As literal crossroads where traffic meets, the opportunity for collisions statistically skyrockets at intersections. Adding extra lanes, including turning lanes, adds to the confusion. Experts say that distracted driving is one of the major causes of crashes, and it’s no coincidence that many accidents happen when vehicles are executing a turn at an intersection. The combination of distraction and lack of orientation creates disaster.
Drivers can help themselves and everyone around them by staying alert. It also helps to know where the “hot spots” are, those locations that experience many accidents. Here are the most dangerous intersections in Illinois based on accident frequency, severity, and rate of occurrence. All are located in Chicago.
- Stony Island Avenue at South Chicago Avenue on Chicago’s South Side. This deadly intersection borders four neighborhoods in the city: Avalon Park, Greater Grand Crossing, South Shore, and South Chicago.
- Western Avenue at Peterson Avenue. This intersection had 50 crashes and has many lanes and high traffic. There is also a car dealership on one corner, and drivers looking for a driveway to the business create additional hurdles around this area.
- Kedzie Avenue and Belmont Avenue. This intersection is confusing to many drivers due to its diagonal one-way roads. Throw in an underpass connected to Kennedy Expressway and the danger increases even more.
- Lincoln and Clark. This is a highly traveled intersection both by vehicles and bicyclists. The roads are diagonal, and there are no bike lanes.
- Milwaukee Avenue, especially the 0.7 mile stretch between North and Division. This is another spot that sees lots of cyclists adding to the confusion.
- Cicero Avenue and 127th Street. On- and off-ramps are generally areas of higher risk, and this location is no exception.
- La Grange Road at I-80 westbound ramp. Here is another high-risk site created by an on-ramp to a freeway.
- Ogden Avenue at Illinois 59. Drivers have experienced over 40 crashes in this location.
- 22nd Street and Kingery Highway. Another hot spot, with 47 accidents in a recent year.
- Bollingbrook Drive at the southbound ramp to I-55. Over 40 crashes happened at this ramp, too.
While all of these intersections are in a major city, that doesn’t mean drivers can let their guard down in rural locales. Roads in those areas often aren’t as well maintained, many people neglect to buckle up for shorter country drives, and collisions with animals are more likely in agrarian settings.
Regardless of location, as was mentioned earlier, human error plays a major part in the frequency of automobile accidents. Drivers allow themselves to be distracted by phones, radios, and other technology, creating longer response times and more of a chance of human error while driving.
Don’t be a statistic. Drivers who take the time to be aware of the areas that are most dangerous and who stay focused on operating the vehicle have a better chance of arriving safely at their destination, not to mention protecting others on the road.
