Kalamazoo is a vibrant Michigan city with a lot to love, from Western Michigan University and its beloved Broncos to the area’s rich history as a manufacturing hub for fishing rods and guitars. Unfortunately, it also has some dangerous intersections that see a high volume of automobile accidents. If you live in the Kalamazoo area, or if you’re planning to visit soon, it’s a good idea to inform yourself about Kalamazoo County’s most dangerous intersections.
What Makes an Intersection Dangerous?
There are a few different ways to define what a “dangerous intersection” actually is. Typically, the total number of crashes, car accident cases, and associated injuries is one important marker for ranking the danger level of intersections. According to the Federal Highway Administration, half of all traffic injuries and a quarter of all traffic deaths are due to intersection accidents, making it a topic of great concern.
A few different reasons an intersection can gain a reputation as dangerous include:
- A large volume of injurious or fatal car accidents occurs every year
- A large volume of accidents resulting in significant property damage
- Frequent associations with distracted or negligent drivers
- A high rate of car-pedestrian collisions
- Limited visibility or bad lighting
- Lack of safety infrastructure, such as poor signage, faded lane markings, faulty traffic signals, etc.
- Frequent (or seemingly endless) road construction
Local media sources like News Channel 3, Fox 17, and MLive, note official crash data in their reporting on the most dangerous intersections in Kalamazoo. Please know that if you have been in a Kalamazoo car accident, laws are in place to help injured parties hold negligent drivers responsible. Please reach out to the team at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, for personalized advice on your unique situation.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Kalamazoo County, MI
The following intersections are not presented in any particular order. They have been selected as examples of the variety of different types of dangerous intersections in the Kalamazoo area, better illustrating the fact that any intersection can be a dangerous intersection.
South Sprinkle Road at East Cork Street.
A roundabout intersection that regularly sees a high volume of traffic, there have been about 70 annual car accidents at South Sprinkle and East Cork in recent years.
Westnedge Avenue at West Kilgore Road
One of the more unassuming intersections to make our list, some people are surprised to learn that around 40 crashes occur every year where Westnedge crosses West Kilgore. Residential intersections often “feel” safer, but it’s a false sense of security. The majority of car accidents actually occur close to home.
Drake Road at West Main Street
Over the last few years, the intersection at Drake Road and West Main has rapidly developed a reputation as one of the Kalamazoo area’s most dangerous intersections, with some saying it is the most dangerous. With only 39 total crashes in the year 2019, that number had jumped to 69 by 2021, and it still remains a problem area today.
Park Street at West Kalamazoo Ave
This is another intersection noteworthy for a big jump in numbers in recent years. In 2020, the intersection of Park and West Kalamazoo had only 33 crashes and eight injuries. In 2021, total crashes skyrocketed to 56, and injuries more than doubled (18 total).
Howard Street at Stadium Drive.
This intersection sees a lot of young drivers and Western Michigan University traffic, leading to around 50 crashes and five injuries per year.
Romence Parkway and South Westnedge Avenue
Although technically located in Portage rather than Kalamazoo proper, this is another intersection to be aware of, as it racks up around 40 crashes annually.
While the six locations above are worth knowing about, so that you can pay extra attention and drive particularly defensively when you travel through them, it’s important to remember that bad accidents and injuries can happen in any intersection or miles away from the nearest crossroads.
The most dangerous intersection in Kalamazoo or any city is the one where drivers fail to pay attention. It only takes one bad decision and one moment to change multiple lives forever. If you, your family, or your passengers have been harmed by someone else’s irresponsible driving in a Kalamazoo intersection, legal redress may be available.
FAQs About Kalamazoo County’s Most Dangerous Intersections
What Intersection in Michigan Has the Most Accidents?
The intersection in Michigan that has the most accidents in recent years is 11 Mile Road/I-696 at Van Dyke Avenue, in the city of Warren (a suburb of Detroit). This notorious distinction is according to multiple Michigan media sources. It’s important to remember that any intersection can be the scene of an accident, given the right or wrong circumstances.
What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections?
The most dangerous intersections are the ones where drivers are not paying attention, not following traffic laws, not taking their responsibilities as motor vehicle operators seriously, and not driving defensively. While it is a great idea to educate yourself about which intersections pose hazards to motorists, it’s equally crucial to remember that it’s people and their bad decisions that cause car crashes and injuries, not intersections themselves.
Are Intersections the Most Common Site of Crashes in City Driving?
Yes, intersections are the most common site of crashes in city driving. Because of the high volume of stop-and-go traffic, busy inner-city intersections are some of the most hazardous places to drive in the United States. Even a less busy, well-maintained intersection can be the site of an accident with one bad move. Due to the nature of intersections, these accidents tend to occur at lower speeds on average, but serious injuries, even fatalities, are still very possible.
Injured in a Kalamazoo Intersection? Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
If you need a car crash attorney to help you through the aftermath of an intersection-related injury in Kalamazoo (or elsewhere in Michigan), please reach out to the personal injury legal team at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC. When injured Michiganders need a reputable car accident attorney, they turn to us. Reach out today and find out for yourself why we’re Kalamazoo’s most trusted car crash law firm.
