Intersections are common — particularly in more urban areas. These are points of the road where two or more routes converge. The traffic in these locations is often directed by lights.
While intersections serve a purpose in terms of controlling the flow of traffic, they can be dangerous. Some studies have found that over 50% of all traffic collisions occur at intersections. Why are intersections so dangerous?
Traffic becomes bottlenecked
One of the main issues with intersections is that they gather large volumes of traffic together in tight spaces. This means less room for error. Drivers typically cannot keep the recommended following distance of three seconds at intersections. Should a driver slam on the brakes, the chance of a rear-end collision is high.
Poor designs
Some intersections were designed at a time where there was much less traffic on the road. They aren’t necessarily fit for purpose today. Older intersections may be in places where large buildings and overgrown vegetation obstruct visibility. The lighting may also be poor in older intersections.
It’s important that the safety of intersections is monitored by local authorities and older intersections should be updated when necessary.
A mixture of cars, bicycles and pedestrians
There are more than just cars to consider at intersections. These are places where cars, trucks, bicycles and pedestrians all converge. The harsh reality is that pedestrians and cyclists are much more vulnerable than vehicles, and serious accidents can occur at intersections.
If you have been hurt at an intersection, context is very important. If another party has been negligent, then you may be entitled to personal injury compensation. Seek legal guidance to assess your case in more detail.