Throughout Missouri, many catastrophic car accidents happen in dangerous intersections. Whether you are driving in St. Louis County or the City of St. Louis, it is imperative that you pay attention to your surroundings and practice safe driving tactics before entering any intersection. Today, our team is here to provide a list of some of the most dangerous intersections across St. Louis County highways, roadways and other suburban roads.
If you would like to read about the intersections in the City of St. Louis, please visit our first blog in the series.
Is There a Dangerous Intersection Near Me in St. Louis County?
In St. Louis County, many of the busiest and most congested roadways include intersections near Interstates 270, 55, 64 and 44. These roads are dangerous intersections because of their intricate entrance and exit ramps that merge into multiple lanes of traffic. The congestion on these roads combined with dangerous driving habits creates hazards for the driving public.
According to the interactive map, some of the most dangerous intersections in St. Louis County, MO include:
- Galleria Pkwy and South Brentwood Blvd in Brentwood and Richmond Heights
- Price Rd and MO Route D in Overland
- Green Park Rd and Reavis Barracks Rd in South St. Louis County
- MO Route 141 and South Outer Forty Rd in Town and Country
- Dunn Rd and Graham Rd in Florissant near the St. Louis Lambert Airport
- Pershall Rd and West Florissant Rd in Ferguson
- North I-270 Ramp and West Florissant Rd in Ferguson
- Gravois Bluffs Blvd and MO Route 141 in Fenton
- Chambers and West Florissant Rd in Ferguson
- Lucas & Hunt Rd and Pasadena Blvd in Northwoods
Additional cities within St. Louis County that include a dangerous intersection with a higher chance for a car crash, include: Des Peres near I-270 ramps, Richmond Heights along I-64 ramps, and Maryland Heights near Westport Plaza and I-270.
What are Common Dangerous Driving Habits near Intersections?
Out on the road, a driver has a duty to operate his or her motor vehicle with the “highest degree of care,” or the degree of care that a very careful person would use under the same or similar circumstance. Dangerous driving is the act of driving in a manner that falls far below the expectations of a competent and careful driver. This includes failing to follow set traffic laws, speed limits and driving in ways that put the driver or the safety of others at risk. In a dangerous intersection collision, most accidents are caused by one driver making a poor decision or a bad choice.
These actions may include situations such as:
- Running a red light;
- Turning right on red when it’s not permitted;
- Speeding through the intersection;
- Merging into another’s lane;
- Texting and driving or other forms of distracted driving;
- Failing to yield the right of way.
If you are hit by a driver and it causes you serious harm, it is best to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Tips for Driving Near a Dangerous Intersection
While we cannot control the decisions other drivers make alongside us, you can make a difference by practicing safe driving tactics in dangerous intersections and during everyday driving situations. As personal injury lawyers, we have worked with hundreds of individuals in St. Louis County, MO, who have been injured because of another’s dangerous driving habits.
The best advice we can give is to STOP.
- S – Stay Alert. We have all heard the phrase look both ways before crossing the street, but it is also important to check your surroundings before entering an intersection while driving. Stay alert and look around the intersection before making your way across even with valid traffic signals lighting your way to go.
- T – Traffic Signals and Signs. To be a good driver means following the traffic laws. Do not race through a yellow light if you can safely stop. You should also recognize merging and yield signs, and come to a complete stop at a stop sign intersection. The signs and signals are there for a reason, so be sure to follow them accordingly.
- O – Open eyes, See the Road. Distracted, drowsy and drunk driving are some of the leading causes of dangerous intersection accidents. Do your part and keep yourself and others safe by calling a ride if you need it and putting your phone down to keep all vision on the road ahead.
- P – Patience. Driving requires patience especially when it may feel like you are the only person following today’s driving laws. If someone makes you angry on the road, stay focused on your defensive driving instead of retaliating.
Stay Safe in St. Louis County Intersections
No matter where you drive in St. Louis, it is important to know our city’s dangerous intersections and dangerous roads. This knowledge may be the difference between you safely arriving home or being a part of a serious car accident.
If you were a part of a car accident in one of these dangerous intersections or in another accident within the City of St. Louis or St. Louis County, our attorneys are here to help. Contact our team today for a free consultation to build your case.