Michigan’s most dangerous intersections

LANSING- Michigan Auto Law has compiled data 0n the state’s most dangerous intersections and the frequency of car accidents that occurred in the year 2021. The data is based on reported car accidents by Michigan State Police.

Michigan has a total of 107,000 intersections. The study revealed that Macomb County is home to the deadliest intersections in the entire state.

The city of Warren is home to the state’s most dangerous intersection on 11 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue. It had a total of 173 reported car accidents.

The second most dangerous intersection is in the city of St Claire Shores on 10 Mile Road at I-94. Michigan Auto Law highlighted that in 2021 that area saw car crashes skyrocket 140%.

The study also found that “roundabout” roads are responsible for a great number of crashes in Michigan. A roundabout is a circular intersection or junction in which road traffic is permitted to flow in one direction around a center island. MDOT has installed these types of roads in recent years believing it would prevent car accidents and decrease traffic delays. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Coming in at number three for the most car accidents at an intersection is the roundabout in Sterling Heights, located at 18 ½ Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue. There were a total of 168 crashes and 17 injuries reported there. It’s not exactly clear why roundabouts are causing so much accidents, but many believe that they are confusing, especially if drivers are not familiar with them.

Another roundabouts that made the list is in the city of Farmington Hills at 14 Mile Road and Orchard Lake. There were 122 crashes and 15 injuries reported there, making it the 6th most dangerous intersection.

The study found that Intersections are responsible for 33% of traffic fatalities, coming ahead of public roads, private roads and highways.

Trying to eradicate the problem can also be confusing, as some roads are controlled by the county, while other roads are controlled by the city. That can create a logistical nightmare for future safety protocols.

Chuck Morahn, one of the nation’s leading traffic experts, told Local 4 News that “stroads,” which is a combination of streets and roads, may also be an issue. Streets were originally designed to be spaces where homes or businesses would be with walkable areas and low speed traffic. While roads were originally designed to get drivers from Point A to Point B at a higher speeds.

Blending the two together—roads with high speed traffic upward of 45 miles an hour, while also being an area with homes or businesses may be the source of conflict.

Speed and complexity appears to be the biggest issue at the most dangerous intersections. The more complex an intersection is, the slower drivers should be going. But nearly all of these intersections encourage drivers to go faster. Morhan pointed to long, straight stretches of road with few signs and a lot of lanes that cause a lot of crashes.

Below is the list of the most dangerous Michigan intersections

  • 11 Mile Road/I-696 at Van Dyke Avenue, Warren
  • 10 Mile Road at I-94, St. Clair Shores
  • 18 1/2 Mile Road at Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights
  • US-131 at Wealthy Street, Grand Rapids
  • Martin Parkway at Pontiac Trail, Commerce Township
  • Orchard Lake Road at 14 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
  • Schoolcraft at Telegraph Road, Redford Township
  • Burton Street at US-131, Grand Rapids
  • 12 Mile Road at I-94, Roseville
  • Telegraph Road at 12 Mile Road, Southfield
  • Conner Street at I-94, Detroit
  • Southfield Road at 11 Mile Road, Lathrup Village

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