Accidents that happen at intersections are some of the most common and most dangerous. In fact, they account for a large portion of car crashes and result in some of the worst injuries.
When you think about how many of these accident injuries are because of intersection accidents and how much damage can be done in just a few seconds at an intersection, it’s hard to ignore how serious an issue this is.
What Causes Intersection Crashes?
Here are some of the causes of intersection crashes.
Failure to Yield
One of the biggest causes of intersection crashes is when drivers fail to yield when they should. It might sound simple, but it happens all the time, whether it’s because drivers are in a hurry, distracted, or just not paying attention.
When someone doesn’t yield, they might pull out into traffic without checking properly, and of course, this can cause a collision. Failing to yield includes running a red light, turning left when it’s not their turn, or even not slowing down when there’s a yield sign.
Distracted Driving
Distractions like texting, talking on the phone, eating, or messing with the radio can take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your attention away from driving.
These distractions can cause you to miss important signals, like a red light, a stop sign, or other cars stopping in front of you. When your focus isn’t entirely on the road, you’re at a much higher risk of making a mistake that can lead to an accident at an intersection.
Speeding
Speeding is one of the main causes of crashes at intersections. When drivers go over the speed limit, they have less time to react to sudden changes, like another car stopping unexpectedly, a pedestrian crossing the street, or a traffic light changing.
It also means it takes them longer to stop if they need to. At intersections, you have vehicles coming from different directions, and if someone is speeding, they have much less time to avoid a crash.
Poor Visibility
Sometimes, accidents happen at intersections simply because drivers can’t see clearly. Poor visibility is an issue when something blocks your view, like trees, buildings, or even parked cars.
If you can’t see oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists, you might not be able to react in time to prevent a crash. When something is obstructing your line of sight, it’s harder to make sure it’s safe to proceed through an intersection.
Weather Conditions
Rain, snow, fog, or even just wet roads can make it much harder for cars to stop or avoid an accident. If the roads are wet or icy, it can be easy to lose traction. Heavy rain or snow can also reduce visibility by making it harder to see other drivers or important road signs.
If you’re driving in weather conditions that make the roads slippery or harder to navigate, you need to be extra cautious, especially at intersections where you’re dealing with cars coming from different directions.
Prevention Methods
Now that we understand some of the major causes of intersection crashes, let’s talk about how we can prevent them.
Stay Alert
It’s easy to get distracted while driving, but staying alert is one of the most important things you can do. Keep your eyes on the road, avoid distractions, and pay attention to everything happening around you.
If you’re feeling tired or distracted, pull over and take a break. The more alert you are, the better your chances are of avoiding an accident.
Use Signals
Turn signals are there to help you let other drivers know your intentions. Using signals is an easy way to avoid confusion and reduce the chances of an accident.
When drivers know what you’re about to do, they can react in time, making it less likely that there will be a crash at an intersection.
Slow Down
If you’re in an area with a lot of pedestrians or cyclists, or if it’s hard to see clearly because of weather conditions or other obstacles, slow down.
Even if the speed limit is 40 mph, you might want to drive slower, especially if you’re approaching an intersection.
Slowing down gives you more time to react if something unexpected happens. It also reduces the risk of skidding or losing control of your vehicle.
Maintain a Safe Distance
It’s easy to get too close to the vehicle in front of you, especially if you’re in a hurry, but it’s important to maintain a safe distance.
It’s important to follow the three-second rule: stay at least three seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. This gives you enough time to react if something goes wrong, whether the car in front of you suddenly stops or someone pulls out in front of you.