Intersection crashes give cause for concern

An increased number of intersection crashes is expected in many parts of the US and Europe. Precisely why this is so is not clear, but the period before the end of the year is frequently marked by higher than average numbers of crashes. In the US, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) recorded and increase in crashes of 24% in the period between 21st November and December 31st 2011. Meanwhile injuries rose 18% and serious injuries increased 12% in this period, when compared with the monthly average f
November 29, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

An increased number of intersection crashes is expected in many parts of the US and Europe. Precisely why this is so is not clear, but the period before the end of the year is frequently marked by higher than average numbers of crashes. In the US, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) recorded and increase in crashes of 24% in the period between 21st November and December 31st 2011. Meanwhile injuries rose 18% and serious injuries increased 12% in this period, when compared with the monthly average for the rest of the year.

In Ohio there were 410 intersection crashes resulting in serious injuries during the 2011 holiday period, compared with 348 in the previous year. But while intersection crashes increased, the total number crashes in this period actually fell by close to 5% from 14,624 in 2010 to 13,938 in 2011. According to ODOT, many intersection crashes can be attributed to drivers making left-hand turns at intersections and driveways. Drivers often misjudge the speed and distance of on-coming traffic or become impatient while waiting to turn, leading them to take greater risks.   

Driver distraction is another risk and Ohio’s new law banning texting while driving went into effect in August. Under the law, adult drivers face a US$150 fine for texting or reading/sending an email.

Related Content

  • Ohio reveals worrying data on workzone crashes
    April 23, 2013
    New data from the US state of Ohio reveals worryingly high levels of highway construction work zone deaths. Fatalities in the state’s highway work zones doubled in the period from 2009-2011, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The figures are the most recent available and include both motorists and construction workers. Meanwhile, ODOT is piloting a new program aimed at reducing vehicle crashes and making construction work zones safer. “ODOT tries to do all we can to e
    Read More
  • Increase in German car crashes cause for concern
    August 27, 2014
    The fatality rate on Germany’s road network increased in the first half of 2014, compared with the same period last year. The preliminary figures from Germany's Federal Statistics Office, Destatis, show an increase in road deaths of 9.5% to 1,576 for the first six months of 2014. The level of injuries also rose by 10.6% to around 185,600 while the number of crashes in which people were injured rose 11.4% to 144,600. Overall however, the number of crashes dropped by 1.2% to 1.15 million. The reason for the i
    Read More
  • Distracted driving report from European nations
    December 11, 2017
    There are now calls from right across Europe to increase education, enforcement and penalties for distracted driving. Surveys across Europe have revealed worrying attitudes to the use of mobile devices while driving, according to a report by the European Transport and Safety Commission (ETSC). Campaigners are calling for better enforcement, higher penalties, technological solutions and education to raise awareness of the risks. A survey in the Czech Republic found that 36% of drivers admitted using their
    Read More
  • US road crashes increasing for 2015?
    August 19, 2015
    There is mounting concern in the US at the high number of crashes during 2015. For the first seven months of 2015, there has been a 14% increase in the number of traffic fatalities compared with the same period in 2014. The data shows that there were 18,630 road deaths in this period, with over 2.2 million serious injuries. This is a notable increase and should the trend continue it will mean that 2015 will have had the highest rate of road deaths since 2007. The cause (or causes) of the increase in road de
    Read More

Highlighted Content