Drivers Who Speed Make Pontiac, Michigan Intersection Inherently Dangerous
Community members and residents near Whittemore Street and Sanford Street in Pontiac, Michigan recently witnessed a terrifying afternoon crash at what most say is one of the city’s most dangerous intersections. Bystanders report seeing a car soaring into a home after it was T-boned by a speeding driver and sent flying. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt in the accident, but many are left shaken and fearful it could happen again. Residents say the intersection has been problematic for years with accidents being witnessed and reported weekly. Many community members have told local news outlets about their requests for a four-way stop or traffic signal to slow down the onslaught of speeding drivers.
The personal injury attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm are constantly reviewing crash data from the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reporting Unit in hopes to identify Michigan intersections and traffic spots where injuries are likely to occur and warn others. While the fatality number may not be high in Pontiac at Whittemore and Sanford, reports still show trends in accident occurrence at the busy intersection. In 2014, the intersection was home to an awful ambulance rollover accident while emergency responders were en route to a call. The accident resulted in sending three people to the hospital with traumatic injuries. The ambulance was hit at the intersection by another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, operated by a distracted driver.
Lee Steinberg Law Firm’s Safe Intersection Driving Lesson
A poor layout of roads, changes in new driver patterns, lack of city or county road repair, and disregard for traffic laws can complicate intersection safety and increase traffic risks. Dangerous intersections can also be identified by having heavy traffic congestion, poor signage and street lighting, discontinuous sidewalks, or has a reputation as an area with aggressive and speeding drivers, and heavy bicycle and pedestrian traffic. It remains imperative Michigan drivers become more aware of their surroundings when driving through any intersection and drive patiently, using the safe intersection driving lessons outlined below.
- As you approach an intersection, check for stop lights, signs, turning lanes, one-way signs, construction signs, pedestrians, crosswalks, and bicycle lanes.
- Never change lanes in the middle of an intersection.
- Stay out of your “blind spots” but also those of the other drivers.
- If you are in a congested area, keep your actions predictable and make your intentions clear to other drivers by utilizing your turn signal.
- Pay attention to brake lights and allow for plenty of space behind the vehicle in front of you.
- Keep your foot firmly on the brake while you wait to cross or turn at an intersection.
- When stopping at an intersection, stop at the painted line or behind the curb.
- If a traffic light is out, the right of way goes to the driver who reaches the intersection first and proceeds to each driver to the right in succession. If you are confused, let the other driver go first.
- Never intentionally run or coast through a stop sign or light, even if it appears that there is no one else entering the intersection.
- There can be several types of distractions that can hinder a driver’s performance but using your cell phone and texting while driving is still a huge problem. Under Michigan’s anti-texting law (257.602.b) a driver shall not “read, manually type, or send a text message on a wireless 2-way communication device that is located in the person’s hand or in the person’s lap, including a wireless telephone used in cellular telephone service or personal communication service, while operating a motor vehicle that is moving on a highway or street in this state.”
- Don’t speed.
- Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Always buckle up!
If all drivers followed even half of these lessons, Michigan could see improvements in intersection accidents rates. With that said, courteous driving at safe speed limits should remain the most important measures toward improving accident rates.
Michigan’s Most Dangerous Intersections
Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reporting unit has identified which intersections had the highest number of car crashes in 2018. Here is a synopsis.
- 11 Mile Road/I-696 at Van Dyke Avenue in Warren/Center Line, Macomb County
- 18 ½ Mile Road at Van Dyke Avenue in Sterling Heights, Macomb County
- Telegraph Road at 12 Mile Road in Southfield, Oakland County
- Orchard Lake Road at 14 Mile road in Farmington Hills/West Bloomfield Township, Oakland County
- Martin Parkway at Pontiac Trail in Commerce Township, Oakland County
- I-75 at Big Beaver Road in Troy, Oakland County
- Metropolitan Parkway at Mound Road in Sterling Heights, Macomb County
- Schoolcraft Road at Telegraph Road in Redford Township, Wayne County
- State Street at Ellsworth Road in Ann Arbor/Pittsfield Township, Washtenaw County
- Ford Road at Lilley Road in Canton, Wayne County
- Hall Road/M-59 at Schoenherr Road in Utica/Sterling Heights, Macomb County
- 23 Mile Road at I-94 in Chesterfield, Macomb County
- Metropolitan Parkway at Van Dyke Avenue in Sterling Heights, Macomb County
- Southfield Road at 11 Mile Road in Lathrup Village, Oakland County
- Hall Road/M-59 at Romeo Plank Road in Clinton Township, Macomb County
- S. 131 at Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids, Kent County
- Dix Avenue at M-39 in Lincoln Park, Wayne County
- I-75 at M-59 Interchange in Auburn Hills, Oakland County
- 6 Mile Road at I-275/I-96 in Livonia, Wayne County
- Ford Road at Haggerty Road in Canton, Wayne County
We have close look at Detroit’s most dangerous intersections here. Do you know of other intersections in Michigan that should be reviewed as dangerous?
Contact Us Now About Your Motor Vehicle Accident
If you have been injured in an intersection related accident, the vehicle accident attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm are ready to use our decades of experience to get justice so you can move forward and start the healing process. Not only can a personal injury lawsuit help ease financial burdens, but it can help create change at a location, like a dangerous intersection, that poses serious risks to other users every single day.
Please call and speak to our car accident attorneys at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or fill out the Free Case Evaluation Form. We are happy to help you!
