Intersections have been described as one of the most complex traffic situations that motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users encounter daily!
Intersection crashes are one of the most common types of crashes – and also a crash type with severe consequences.
The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 43% of motor vehicle crashes occur at intersections or are “intersection-related”.
Knowing the major risks of an intersection collision and how to avoid them can help to minimize your chance of a crash. In this section, we would like to assess these risks and provide advice for safer driving at intersections.
What is an intersection?
Intersections are locations where two or more roads meet, cross or converge and traffic moving in different directions all come together. They come in many different designs, configurations, and sizes. In traffic design, intersections can contain as many as six streets converging. For example, a six-way intersection can involve the crossing of two perpendicular streets, with yet another street crossing them diagonally.
The crossing and turning manoeuvres that occur at intersections create opportunities for vehicle-vehicle, vehicle-pedestrian, and vehicle-bicycle conflicts, which may result in traffic crashes. The definition in itself emphasizes the inherent danger of an intersection, describing an area where vehicles may come into “conflict.”
Types of intersection crashes
We have all experienced the sounds of screeching of tyres followed shortly thereafter by the brutal sound of metal hitting metal, typical of a crash at an intersection. A number of different intersection crash types occur, including:
- Collisions between oncoming vehicles, particularly when one is turning across traffic
- Rear-end crashes – often occurring because the following driver is distracted and does not realize the lead driver has stopped.
- Side impact collisions or “T-bones”. These types of accidents typically involve a driver on one side running a red light, be it intentionally or while trying to make it through an intersection before a yellow light turns red.
- Side-swipe collisions where one or more vehicles are turning.
- Collisions into vulnerable road user such as pedestrians and cyclists while turning.
- Crashes at Level Crossings/ Rail Crossings