Michigan's Most Dangerous Intersections 2015

Recent information from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments has provided details about the incidence of auto accidents in the state of Michigan. This 2015 car accident report is especially noteworthy because it reflects a very high amount of accidents in specific areas in southeastern Michigan.

The highest rates of auto accidents were noted in Macomb county, Oakland county, and Wayne county. The areas of Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Lansing have also been shown to have high vehicle accident rates. Out of the 20 intersections listed in the report, only one was located outside of Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne county -- Washtenaw county.

Macomb County Intersections

In Macomb county, some of the intersections having a high amount of accidents were:

11 Mile Road and Van Dyke in Center Line
18 1/2 Mile Road and Van Dyke Road in Sterling Heights
Hall Road and Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township
Oakland County Intersections

In Oakland County, some of the most dangerous intersections were:

Pontiac Trail and the M-5/Martin Parkway in Commerce Township

Telegraph Road and 12 Mile in the city of Southfield

Interstate 75 and Big Beaver Road in Troy

Wayne County Intersections

In Wayne county, some of the intersections with high accident rates were:

Ford Road and Haggerty Road in Canton Township
Ford Road and Lilley Road in Canton Township
Dix Highway and the Southfield Freeway in Lincoln Park

Why Do High Accident Rates Happen?

While the intersections listed above do have unusually high levels of accidents, it is important to recognize that the accidents don't necessarily occur for any one specific reason. The accident rates at the intersections located in southeastern Michigan do not indicate faulty design or construction. Safety officials have said that all intersections that were listed in the report are highly traveled areas. In any highly traveled area, the fact that more vehicles are present will equal a higher number of traffic accidents.

The auto accidents that occur at these intersections happen for the same reasons as those that happen at other intersections all over the United States. Reasons like distracted driving, inclement weather, and speeding are all common causes of the accidents at these intersections.

It is also important to consider that the state of Michigan has the fourth highest rate of uninsured motorists in the United States, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Because around 21 percent of Michigan motorists are not insured, it is possible that some accidents are not reported because drivers want to avoid penalties. Therefore, many other intersections may not be listed in the report simply because the accidents were never reported.

Staying Safe at Dangerous Intersections

While Michigan drivers may not be able to avoid dangerous intersections, there are a number of things that can be done to avoid accidents. Awareness is one of the most essential parts of being a safe driver. Always be fully aware of not only your own vehicle, but also all of the other vehicles surrounding you. Be sure that rearview and side mirrors are in the proper positions before you even leave home every day. Always use signals, making sure to alert other drivers well in advance of any turn or any lane merging.

Give other drivers plenty of space. The ideal distance can be determined by using the "three second rule." Choose a stationary object in the distance, for example a road sign or a tree. As the vehicle you're following finishes crossing that object, being a slow count: "One, one thousand, two, one thousand, three, one thousand." Your vehicle should cross that stationary object around the three second mark, not before then. This ensures sufficient distance between vehicles to be safe.

There are a multitude of distractions that compete for our attention today, but they all need to be avoided while driving. Text messaging, phone calls, eating, grooming, video gaming, and changing the radio station can all wait until you're in a safe place off the road. The state of Michigan prohibits texting while driving, in fact.

Whether it's Michigan motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, or car accidents, sometimes you simply can't prevent disaster no matter how much you practice safe driving. If you're injured in a motorcycle accident or an auto accident, an experienced attorney can help you recover the damages you deserve. Contact us for a consultation about your motorcycle accident or auto accident case today.