While Florida may not have the highest rate of car accidents in the United States, it is near the top, and South Florida tends to be the most dangerous area of the state for drivers. That is thanks to its densely populated metropolitan areas and the high number of tourists on the road.
South Florida also lacks the infrastructure to handle its skyrocketing population and tourist demand, which has contributed to a number of dangerous intersections in the region.
Here are some intersections you should approach with caution in South Florida and what you should do if you are hurt in a collision.
South Florida’s Most Dangerous Intersections
South Florida is notorious for its congested roadways, intoxicated spring breakers, high rate of out-of-state and international visitors, and dangerous road conditions. The following are just nine of the most dangerous intersections in the South Florida area that deserve extra care.
1. Pines Blvd & South Flamingo Rd in Pembroke Pines
This intersection in Broward County is especially dangerous for pedestrians. Over a recent five-year period, more than 100 pedestrians were fatally injured at Pines Blvd. and South Flamingo Rd.
In 2001, State Farm Insurance named this as America’s most dangerous intersection. In fact, it has even been called one of the world’s most dangerous intersections, ranking alongside Bolivia’s “Road of Death.”
The city of Pembroke Pines has since added a new eastbound through lane, lengthened the turn lanes, and closed an opening to a restaurant to prevent left turns. Four years after making these improvements, collisions dropped 64%. While safer, pedestrian accidents are still common here.
2. Hialeah Garden Blvd & Okeechobee Rd in Hialeah Gardens
This intersection in Hialeah Gardens earned a spot on TIME’s list of the 12 most dangerous intersections in the country. About 50% of the intersections on the list are in Florida. Okeechobee Road is a major roadway in Hialeah Gardens and a frequent site of collisions, but this intersection has been identified as especially dangerous.
3. NE Second Ave & 36th Street in Midtown Miami
One glance at this massive intersection and it is easy to see why accidents are so common. Commuters and shoppers meet here as thousands of vehicles attempt to merge off and on the Julia Tuttle Causeway toward Miami Beach. The intersection has a confusing design with three roads located next to active railroad tracks and a left-turn lane that is always backed up across the intersection.
4. NW 87th & 36th Streets in Doral
While most intersections are worse during rush hour, this intersection can be locked in a traffic jam any time of day, without warning. Local residents ensure their gas tank is full and check traffic information before entering the area, but tourists and snowbirds may not know to do those things.
5. SW 117th Ave & 152nd St in South Miami-Dade
This intersection has been ranked as Miami-Dade’s second-most dangerous according to traffic accident data from 2014. It is no surprise with six lanes in each direction, confusing signage, and high-speed traffic and backups as drivers maneuver off the Ronald Reagan Turnpike. To reduce accidents in the intersection, the Florida Turnpike southbound exit was recently moved as part of a larger effort to widen the Turnpike.
6. Atlantic Blvd & U.S. 1 in Pompano Beach
More than 6,000 traffic accidents have been reported between NE 18th Street and U.S. 1 just off Atlantic Blvd. This incredibly busy 24-lane intersection is marked by packed businesses and a lack of clear signage. With this many lanes converging in one place, a high rate of accidents is almost a sure thing.
7. South Of I-95 On South Dixie Highway in Coconut Grove/Coral Gables (Miami)
Even though residents in the know try to avoid this highway, it is still a major cause of accidents due to bumper-to-bumper traffic, tricky intersections, and drivers surprised to encounter it after a long stretch of pleasant roads.
8. SW 117th Avenue & Kendall Drive in West Kendall
Challenging to navigate and connected to some of the busiest roads in Florida, this intersection is in the middle of a thriving business district, making rush hour a nightmare in this area. Local homeowners frustrated by the traffic have asked the local government to come up with a solution to reduce traffic or avoid encouraging new business establishments.
9. A1A & Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale
With lots of bars, restaurants, pubs, and other entertainment establishments in the area, there is always significant pedestrian traffic, with many people too intoxicated or distracted to pay attention to oncoming traffic. The 5 mph speed limit is also frustrating to drivers who want to reach their destination quickly.
What Makes an Intersection Dangerous?
While all intersections pose a risk to drivers and pedestrians, certain factors make some intersections more dangerous than others:
- Confusing traffic signals. Malfunctioning or confusing traffic signals – like an illuminated crosswalk light while traffic is still going – can be dangerous because confused drivers may make incorrect or impulsive decisions that cause accidents.
- Inadequate lighting. While headlights are great, inadequate lighting at intersections can increase the risk of accidents.
- Poorly maintained roads. Rough pavement, potholes, sharp drop-offs, and other road hazards can make it harder for drivers to maintain control of their vehicle or even send them off-course entirely.
- Narrow lanes. Since they decrease the amount of space between vehicles, narrow lanes increase the odds of a minor driver error causing a serious collision.
- Improperly marked lanes. Driver uncertainty caused by missing, faded, or confusing lane markers can lead to an increased risk of accidents due to vehicles being in the wrong place.
- Obscured, difficult-to-read, or incorrectly placed signs. When vital information is difficult or impossible for drivers to read quickly, accidents can be caused when drivers must slow down, veer, or perform other dangerous maneuvers while looking for critical information.
Common Injuries After a Car Accident
It is a common misconception that injuries only happen in serious collisions. The truth is even a minor fender bender can cause serious neck and head injuries. The following are some of the most common injuries associated with collisions:
- Whiplash. This refers to a very common neck injury caused by a rapid and forceful back-and-forth movement, usually after a rear-end accident. Whiplash can be caused by accidents at speeds as low as 5 mph and can lead to neck or shoulder pain, dizziness, headaches, or even vision, hearing, or memory problems.
- Head injuries. A traumatic brain injury or TBI may have immediate side effects, or it may take days for symptoms to become apparent. Depending on the severity of the injury, a TBI can cause headaches, sleeping problems, confusion, and potentially long-term effects.
- Herniated discs. A herniated disc happens when one of the rubbery cushions between the vertebrae in your spine shifts out of place or even ruptures. A ruptured disc occurs when the softer inside of the disc pushes through the harder exterior. Herniated discs are notoriously painful as they can press on nearby nerves and cause weakness or numbness in a leg or arm.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
The most common car accident causes include:
- Driver inattention
- Distractions
- Speeding
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Drug or alcohol impairment
How to Avoid Auto Accidents
While you may not be able to avoid dangerous intersections entirely, there are several things you can do to help reduce your risk of getting into an accident:
- Proceed with caution. Stay with the flow of traffic, follow the speed limit, be a defensive driver, and be alert for risk factors like narrow or poorly marked lanes, conflicting or confusing signs, and poor lighting or roads.
- Avoid dangerous intersections when possible. While you may not be able to avoid all the dangerous intersections in your city, do try to plan routes that avoid known problem areas when you can.
- Carefully choose travel times. Sure, sometimes you need to be somewhere at a specific time. Other times, you may be able to time your activities to avoid rush hour and other times of high traffic volume.
- Watch out for other drivers. Pay attention to the other drivers on the road around you. The sooner you notice a careless or reckless action on their part, the more likely you will be to avoid having a collision with that vehicle.
- Put away distractions. You should always avoid distractions while driving, but it is especially important when you are going through intersections. Try to avoid glancing at your GPS or anything else as you approach and go through intersections.
What to Do After an Accident in Miami or Fort Lauderdale
After a car accident, you may be left feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. While it is definitely important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible and gather evidence of your accident, your first priority should be seeking immediate medical attention — even if you think you are fine! (Check out our “Next Steps After an Accident” page for more information on this.)
Sometimes serious injuries take days or even weeks to become apparent, especially in the case of whiplash and herniated discs. Delaying medical care may be putting your long-term health at risk by allowing your condition to worsen without diagnosis and treatment.
Chiropractic care can be invaluable after a car accident to help diagnose and treat hidden injuries like ruptured discs, reduce pain, and support your recovery naturally. At County Line Chiropractic, we believe in a natural approach to medicine without the use of potentially addictive medications that can cause more harm than good by tricking your body into thinking it is fine — only to aggravate an injury.
If you have been involved in a car accident in South Florida, give us a call today at 800-811-1231 to schedule an appointment for gentle chiropractic care to help begin your recovery.
You can also make an appointment online, and walk-ins are always welcomed at all 6 of our South Florida locations in:
