Intersection accidents rank among the most hazardous traffic incidents—not only on Seattle roads but all across the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Federal Highway Administration, nearly 50% of traffic injuries occur because of intersections and almost 25% of traffic fatalities.
Understanding what makes these locations so dangerous can help you take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones on the road.
Distracted driving creates deadly consequences
A distracted driver might not see a red light, a person crossing or another car in their path. Distractions can include:
- Texting or reading a message
- Adjusting the radio
- Talking to someone in the back seat
Doing these while approaching intersections can make drivers miss critical visual clues. The tiny delay in reaction time often means the difference between avoiding a crash and getting into a serious vehicle collision.
Failure to yield right of way causes confusion
Many drivers don’t understand or ignore who should go first at intersections. When someone rolls through a stop sign or enters an intersection out of turn, they increase the risk of crashing into incoming cars. These mistakes often lead to side-impact crashes that hit cars where they have the least protection.
Red light running invites fatal disasters
Few driving mistakes create more danger than running red lights. Data shows that almost 1,150 people died in car accidents because of running red lights.
When drivers speed up to beat a yellow light or ignore red signals, they risk hitting cars that have the right to cross their path. These crashes usually happen at full speed with no braking, causing severe or fatal injuries.
Poor visibility limits reaction time
Many things can block your view at intersections:
- Overgrown bushes and trees
- Parked cars near corners
- Construction barriers
These visibility problems keep drivers from seeing other cars until it’s too late to avoid hitting them.
Complicated traffic patterns confuse drivers
Intersections with multiple lanes, turn arrows and unusual layouts can challenge even good drivers. When you face an unfamiliar traffic pattern, your brain needs extra time to process what to do. This confusion increases accident risk, especially in rainy weather and on dark winter days.
Protecting yourself requires vigilance
Intersections are dangerous because they mix several risk factors in one spot where cars meet at different speeds and angles. So, always approach intersections defensively, looking all around before going through.
Even when you follow all traffic laws, others might not be as careful. If another driver’s carelessness causes your accident despite your caution, remember you have the right to seek compensation to help with your recovery.