As the most populous city in North Carolina, Charlotte is constantly growing and changing. With that growth, it often feels like the Queen City is a revolving door for construction and traffic, leading to more accidents. It’s not uncommon to see construction workers and cones at the same intersection for months at a time.
Unfortunately, with increased traffic, construction, and a constantly growing city, experiencing a car accident in Charlotte is very likely. Whether you’re in Plaza Midwood, near Concord Mills, or driving around UNC Charlotte, there’s no doubt you will come across some of the most dangerous intersections in the city.
Between 2018 and 2020, over 126,000 car accidents occurred in Charlotte, making it the city with the highest amount of crashes in North Carolina. And with so many people on the road, it’s no surprise that Charlotte is home to some of the most dangerous intersections in the state.
Why Are Intersections in Charlotte So Dangerous?
There are a few reasons why intersections in Charlotte have become so dangerous. One reason is the sheer number of vehicles on the road. With over 126,000 car accidents in just three years, it’s clear that there is no shortage of people or cars on Charlotte roads.
Another reason intersections in Charlotte are so dangerous is the amount of construction that’s going on in the city. Construction crews are constantly updating and improving the roads, leading to lane closures and traffic disruptions. This can be especially dangerous for drivers who are not familiar with the area.
Finally, many of Charlotte’s intersections are located near popular tourist destinations, adding to the congestion. For example, the intersection of North Tryon Street and West Trade Street is located near the Charlotte Convention Center, Bank of America Stadium, and Spectrum Center. This intersection is often packed with cars, pedestrians, and tourists.
And North Tryon Street at University Pointe Boulevard is close to an I-85 exit and near to UNC Charlotte, Ikea, and a shopping center, so it is often full of college students who are statistically more dangerous and inexperienced drivers.
The Top 10 Dangerous Intersections in Charlotte
In 2017, The Charlotte Observer used crash rate data from the Charlotte Department of Transportation to compile and publish a list of Charlotte’s most dangerous intersections.
The CDOT data surveyed the total number of car crashes at specific intersections throughout the city over three years. The top 10 dangerous intersections, in no particular order, include:
East Sugar Creek Road, North Tryon Street, and West Sugar Creek Road
Brown-Grier, Sandy Porter, and West Arrowood roads
Mineral Springs and Neal Roads
South Church and West Hill Street, West John Belk
Mineral Springs Road, North Graham Street, and West Sugar Creek Road
East 12th Street and North Davidson Street
East 9th Street and North College Street
Reagan Drive and Tom Hunter Road
The six-street junction of Lawning, Miranda, Oakdale, and Sunset roads
North Irwin Avenue and West 5th Street
More Dangerous Intersections in Charlotte
In 2018, WSOC gathered a separate list of dangerous intersections, reporting 73 traffic crashes every day in Charlotte.
According to their study, the four most dangerous intersections in Charlotte are:
Reagan Drive at Tom Hunter Road
John Kirk Drive at University City Boulevard
North Tryon Street at University Pointe Boulevard
East W.T. Harris Boulevard at North Tryon Street
Common Causes of Intersection Crashes Accidents in Charlotte
Most car crashes occur due to driver error, such as:
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Making illegal turns
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Following too closely
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
How to Avoid a Car Crash in Charlotte
There are a few things drivers can do to avoid an accident at an intersection, such as:
- Obey all traffic signals and signs
- Reduce your speed when approaching an intersection, especially if the light is yellow
- Be cautious when making left turns, as oncoming traffic may be speeding
- Watch for pedestrians and yield to them if they have the right-of-way
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions, such as texting or talking on the phone
- If you’re ever in doubt, yield to oncoming traffic or wait until it’s safe to proceed
No matter how cautious you are, accidents can still happen. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact the experienced car accident lawyers at Taylor | Serbin Injury Lawyers. We can help you investigate your case and fight for the full amount of damages you deserve.
Contact a Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer at Taylor | Serbin Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident, don’t hesitate to contact a Charlotte car accident lawyer at Taylor | Serbin Injury Lawyers. We have the experience and resources to help you investigate your case and fight for your deserved damages.
Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation. We represent car accident victims throughout Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
