Thousands of motor vehicle accidents occur in New York City every year. Many of these crashes cause injury or death. The Bronx has many dangerous intersections that contribute to those numbers. We’ve provided a list below of the ten most dangerous intersections in the Bronx for car accidents.
The Intersections in the Bronx with the Most Crashes
There are hundreds of intersections in the Bronx. However, some of them are notable for the number of crashes over the past two years.
The most dangerous intersections in the Bronx are:
- Major Deegan Expressway and West Fordham Road
- Bruckner Boulevard and Tiffany Street
- Bruckner Boulevard and East 144th Street
- 3rd Avenue and East 163rd Street
- Cross Bronx Expressway and White Plains Road
- Bellamy Loop and Coop City Boulevard
- Bronx Boulevard and East 233rd Street
- Mosholu Parkway and Southern Boulevard
- East 168th Street and College Avenue
- Field Place and Creston Avenue
Jerome Ave and East 233rd Street
One of the main issues that this intersection is so dangerous is because the intersection is the crossroads for over 10 lanes of busy traffic, including the entrance and exit ramps of the Major Deegan Expressway. Most of the roads in the intersection are turn only lanes which can occasionally make drivers panic if they feel they are in the wrong lane. They attempt to overcorrect their mistake which distracts them from paying attention to pedestrians and other cars in traffic.
Another issue with the intersection is that because there are so many lanes of busy traffic, drivers have to pay attention to the multiple lanes of traffic which might distract them from paying attention to the pedestrians and bikers on the road. In April of 2015, a 15-year-old cyclist was stuck in a hit-and-run in the late hours of the night. The cyclist was found with severe head trauma and was taken to the hospital. The driver of the vehicle was found and arrested.
Developments to the intersection that would improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety would be to replace the fading crosswalks and street markings to better direct traffic and aide pedestrians across the roads.
More improvements will be made in the area and surrounding roads to increase pedestrian and driver safety as part of Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities. But until all projects are complete, drivers and pedestrians should be hyper vigilant about their surroundings when dealing with this intersection.
What Makes These Bronx Intersections Dangerous?
Five to ten crashes happen each month at these intersections because of several factors:
- High traffic volume
- Unclear signage, traffic lights, and roadway markings
- Rush hour is particularly risky as drivers are in a hurry to get to and from work
Bronx Car Accident Statistics
Each month, more than 1,700 motor vehicle collisions occur in the Bronx. That means approximately 20,400 crashes happen within the borough every year.
Close to 800 motorists and passengers are injured in car accidents every month in the Bronx. Additionally, there are 50 cyclists and 100 pedestrians injured in traffic accidents.
Causes of Crashes in the Bronx
By far, the most common cause of car accidents in the Bronx is distracted driving. Driver inattention and distraction cause more than 20% of the crashes in the area. Following too closely and speeding contribute to about 7% of all crashes.
Other contributing factors include:
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Unsafe backing up
- Inexperienced drivers
- Drowsy driving or falling asleep at the wheel
- Improper lane usage or passing
- Disregarding traffic controls
- Unsafe lane changes
Contact a Bronx Car Accident Lawyer for Help
It’s essential to work with a personal injury attorney who knows the area where your accident occurred. The Bronx car accident lawyers at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C., work with clients throughout New York City. We know what causes accidents, and we know how to prove who is at fault.