You approach the familiar intersection on your daily commute, the same one you've driven through hundreds of times. The traffic signal turns yellow just as you reach the crosswalk. Behind you, cars are speeding up instead of slowing down. In that split second, you realize this routine intersection has become a potential danger zone.
When dangerous intersection accidents occur due to another driver’s error, poor design, inadequate maintenance, or hazardous conditions, you may have legal recourse beyond typical traffic crash claims.
At Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum Attorneys at Law, our Rhode Island car crash lawyers support your case with shrewd investigation and clear evidence. Let's examine the factors that make intersections particularly hazardous—and how your safe driving skills make a difference.
What Are Typical Causes Behind Dangerous Intersection Accidents?
Knowing why certain areas become collision hotspots helps drivers recognize and avoid potential dangers. Unfortunately, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) isn’t always forthcoming about sharing intersection crash data with the public, indicating that it now uses this information to try to improve roadways within the state. However, in years past, RIDOT discussed these issues, “because intersections are locations where roadways converge there is an inherent safety risk. Between 2011 and 2015, almost one-fourth (22 percent) of the traffic fatalities in Rhode Island were intersection-related,” and, as this report shows, a high number of serious injuries, too. There are multiple reasons why.
Driver Behavior and Human Error
Motorists’ actions often serve as a trigger for dangerous intersection accidents, including:
- Signal violations. People who run red lights or roll through stop signs create collision risks with cross traffic. This behavior is particularly dangerous at high-speed intersections where other drivers have less time to react.
- Distracted driving. Cell phone use, GPS programming, or other distractions cause motorists to miss critical visual cues about traffic signals or pedestrians. Even brief attention lapses at intersections often result in serious crashes.
- Aggressive maneuvers. Speeding through intersections, making unsafe lane changes, or failing to yield right-of-way creates dangerous situations for all road users at busy crossroads.
Design and Infrastructure Problems
Key design issues consistently contribute to intersection accidents:
- Poor sight lines. Vegetation overgrowth, inadequate lighting, or structural obstructions prevent drivers from seeing oncoming traffic clearly. When municipalities fail to maintain clear visibility zones, accident risk increases significantly.
- Confusing lane markings. Remember the old stories about “Crazy Corners” in Scitutate? While the majority of the state’s intersections aren’t nearly this complicated, several feature challenging configurations or unclear signage that require last-minute lane changes or turns.
- Signal timing issues. Traffic lights that don't provide adequate pedestrian crossing time or create confusion about right-of-way contribute to crashes. Additionally, yellow light timing that's too short causes some drivers to brake while others accelerate.
Weather and Maintenance Factors
Environmental conditions and maintenance failures also create hazards:
- Poor drainage systems. Water pooling during storms creates slippery conditions that reduce vehicle control and require increased stopping distances.
- Winter maintenance gaps. Ice patches left uncleared make roadways particularly unsafe, especially at intersections where vehicles must stop and start frequently.
- Faded road markings. Lane lines and directional arrows that become invisible during rainstorms leave drivers uncertain about proper positioning.
You’ve probably encountered many of these and other causes in hazardous intersections on US-44, SR-IA, SR-122, and RI 37 and US 1 (Post Road), as well as at numerous exits along I-95.
Protecting Yourself at High-Risk Rhode Island Intersections
Proactive safety measures reduce your chances of becoming involved in a dangerous crash. Although roundabouts are more common in our state than ever before, review detailed information about various types of intersections from the Federal Highway Administration to be more prepared. Also, implement these safety practices:
- Reduce speed early. Slow down as you approach complex intersections. This gives you more time to react to unexpected situations.
- Increase following distance. Allow extra space between your vehicle and others when traveling through areas with frequent lane changes or merging traffic. Extra space provides reaction time if other drivers make mistakes.
- Scan for pedestrians. Locations like Memorial Boulevard near Providence Place Mall require heightened awareness of foot traffic. Check crosswalks and sidewalks before proceeding through intersections.
Don’t hesitate to report hazardous conditions to local authorities when you encounter them. If you notice broken signals, obscured signs, or other dangerous situations, filing a formal complaint creates a record that could be important for future safety improvements and legal cases. Document your complaints with photographs and written descriptions.
And if you’re visiting our site because you’ve already experienced a serious intersection crash, Kirshenbaum & Kirshenbaum Attorneys at Law can help. Our skilled team takes great care to evaluate all contributing factors that led to the incident and navigate every aspect of your car accident case within the required time frame so your rights to a fair recovery are upheld.