Preventing Intersection Accidents: Top 5 Hazards to Watch For

It's no secret that intersections can be extremely treacherous for motorists and pedestrians. In fact, no other part of the roadway is more dangerous. If you fail to maintain a strong sense of awareness when navigating through intersections, the chances of you becoming involved in an accident increase dramatically. Here are the top five hazards to watch out for.

Red-Light Running

Red lights are essential for controlling the flow of traffic at intersections. Unfortunately, far too many drivers make the reckless decision of trying to “beat the red light”. This mistake can lead to a disastrous T-bone or broadside collision. As soon as a light turns yellow, the best approach is to proceed with caution.

Distracted Driving

Intersections demand 100% of your attention. To remain safe, you need to constantly scan the intersection for unexpected hazards. Avoid changing the radio station, texting, and other distracting habits. Remember, it only takes a split second for a collision to occur.

Confusion Over Right-Of-Way

When approaching intersections, some drivers become confused over right-of-way rules. It’s not uncommon for motorists to go out of turn. Even if you have the right-of-way, never assume that other drivers will properly yield. Defensive driving techniques, such as watching for people making left turns across your lane, will help circumvent a crash. Also, keep an eye out for pedestrians in intersections, who have the right-of-way, and be sure to yield to them.

Failure to Use Turn Signals

Good communication is critical at intersections. Properly using turn signals is one of the best ways to convey your intentions to others on the road. They can then anticipate your movements and react accordingly. Nevertheless, some drivers still neglect to activate their vehicle's turn signals.

Traffic Blocking

When drivers don’t have enough time to clear the intersection before their light turns red, this often leads to them becoming stuck in the intersection. If other drivers aren’t paying attention, they can easily slam into the car. The likelihood of a crash further increases during times of peak traffic congestion.