It’s very clear that intersections are dangerous places to drive. They lead to more than 50% of serious crashes that result in injuries or fatalities. Although some intersections are safer than others, all of them can be problematic—four-way stops, two-way stops, light-controlled intersections, roundabouts, etc.
Most of these crashes happen because drivers make mistakes. For instance, one report claims that 96% of intersection accidents stem from human error. This means that your safety is dependent on the drivers around you. Below are some of the mistakes they may make.
Distracted driving
Driver distraction is a big issue. Many drivers who are looking at their phones or talking to passengers don’t even realize that they are approaching an intersection. They run red lights or stop signs.
Poor judgment calls
Some intersections require judgment calls, such as when a driver has to turn left. Legally, they need to wait for a large enough gap in traffic to turn safely. But if a driver simply misjudges the speed or distance, this can lead to a serious accident.
Not understanding the rules
Drivers who are unfamiliar with roundabouts sometimes cause accidents because they don’t know that they have to yield to any car that is already in the roundabout. Drivers at two-way stops will sometimes cause crashes because they don’t understand that cross traffic isn’t required to stop, so they cut off drivers who aren’t expecting them to go until they yield the right of way.
If you have been involved in a serious accident and suffered injuries, you need to know how to seek compensation for medical bills and related costs.