In late July, the annual report of the most dangerous intersections in Michigan was released. Unfortunately for motorcyclists and car drivers in the Detroit area, most of the intersections in the top 20 list are in metro Detroit.
And as all motorcyclists know, these intersections are even more dangerous for them than regular drivers since a motorcycle offers far less protection than a car.
Here’s a look at why these intersections are unusually dangerous, what you can do to protect yourself, and what to do if someone else’s recklessness gets you hurt.
Michigan’s Most Dangerous Intersections in Michigan
According to The annual report and statistics derived from the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash reporting data, the most dangerous intersections in Michigan are:
- 18 1/2 mile at Van Dyke in Sterling Heights – 229 crashes, 14 injuries
- Schoolcraft at Telegraph in Redford Township – 210 crashes, 41 injuries
- Orchard Lake at 14 Mile in Farmington Hills – 178 crashes, 22 injuries
- M-5/Martin Parkway at Pontiac Trial in Commerce Township – 161 crashes, 12 injuries
- State Rd. at W. Ellsworth in Pittsfield Township – 154 crashes, 8 injuries
- 11 Mile/I-696 at Van Dyke in Center Line – 129 crashes, 31 injuries
- Telegraph Rd. at 12 Mile in Southfield – 128 crashes, 17 injuries
- US-131 at Wealthy St. in Grand Rapids – 123 crashes, 18 injuries
- I-75 at Big Beaver in Troy – 113 crashes, 17 injuries
- Ford Rd. at Haggerty in Canton – 101 crashes, 35 injuries
- Hall Rd. at Schoenherr in Shelby Township – 96 crashes, 16 injuries
- 23 Mile at I-94 in Chesterfield Township – 94 crashes, 24 injuries
- 11 Mile at Graiot in Roseville – 94 crashes, 23 injuries
- Southfield at 11 Mile in Lathrup Village – 93 crashes, 31 injuries
- Ford Rd. at Mercury Dr. in Dearborn – 91 crashes, 30 injuries
- Hall Rd. at Romeo Plank in Clinton Township – 86 crashes, 27 injuries
- Ford Rd. at Lilley Rd. in Canton – 80 crashes, 20 injuries
- Dixie Highway at I-75 in Springfield Township – 79 crashes, 13 injuries
- Dix Ave. at M-39 in Lincoln Park – 78 crashes, 18 injuries
- Telegraph at Square Lake in Bloomfield Township – 78 crashes, 15 injuries
Some of these intersections are surprising contenders. Take the #1 most dangerous intersection, 18 ½ Mile at Van Dyke in Sterling Heights. This particular intersection is actually a roundabout that saw a 62% increase in crashes.
What’s surprising is that this particular roundabout isn’t new—it’s been a roundabout for about 10 years, so drivers in the area are used to it. Of course, it’s also a busy area near a manufacturing plant, which may account for some of the accidents.
Why are These Intersections Dangerous?
All of these intersections have a few key features in common.
Almost all of them are in the metro Detroit area, making them intersections in high-population areas. This means that the traffic volume at these particular intersections is unusually high relative to many other intersections in the state, increasing the risk of serious consequences for reckless driving.
Most of them are also intersections in which drivers tend to travel at higher speeds, which increases the probability that an accident could prove catastrophic or fatal.
Stay One Step Ahead at an Intersection
Intersections pose an unusually high risk to drivers because there are several cars going toward each other. The intersection only works if all the drivers in it follow the traffic laws and drive safely. Unfortunately, many drivers approach intersections aggressively.
That said, many drivers engage in the same aggressive driving behaviors. These include:
- Following improperly
- Failure to signal
- Improper or erratic lane changing
- Failure to yield right of way
- Failure to obey traffic signs, traffic control devices, or traffic officers
- Sudden speed changes
- Driving too fast or in excess of the posted speed limit
- Making improper turns
Driving through intersections is especially dangerous for motorcyclists, as most drivers are accustomed to looking for other cars. Motorcycles are smaller and thus easier to miss. In addition, motorcycle riders don’t have the level of protection afforded by a car, which means crashes have a much higher chance of being dangerous for a motorcycle rider.
The best way to protect yourself is to drive defensively. The idea is simple: obey all traffic laws to the letter and drive as though every other driver will make the worst possible decision they could make in that moment. That way, you won’t be surprised if a driver does something dangerous and you’ll be much better equipped to react.
Second, you should always be diligent about following traffic laws. That means no lane-splitting (which is illegal in the state of Michigan anyway). Unsafe riding makes it harder for a car to see you, which increases the risk of an accident.
Were You in an Accident in One of the Most Dangerous Intersections in Michigan?
If you were caught in an accident in one of the most dangerous intersections in Michigan, we’re here to tell you that you have options.
We know those motorcycle accidents can be especially traumatic for riders. Drivers have a much greater chance of inflicting serious harm, and worse, police officers, insurance companies, and even your peers are more likely to take a negative view of your side simply because you were on a motorcycle. And we know that such bias is not acceptable.
We know the law, and we know the troubles you face. That’s why our team treats every client with the same care and attention we would give a family member. Because if it’s your loved one trying to recover from a major accident, you wouldn’t want anything less.
If you were involved in an accident and need to speak with an attorney about your options, get in touch today to schedule your free consultation.
Share this Article