Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States. A city this large has its fill of accidents. However, some intersections are more dangerous than others. The top ten most dangerous intersections in Houston are listed below:
- Bissonnet St. and Sam Houston Pkwy
- Hardy Rd. and Sam Houston Pkwy
- Westheimer Rd. and Sam Houston Pkwy
- Main St. and South Loop
- Greens Road and IH 45
- Main St. and Sam Houston Pkwy
- Beechnut St. and Sam Houston Pkwy
- Sam Houston Pkwy and Westpark Tollway
- Hammerly Blvd. and Sam Houston Pkwy
Fatalities from car accidents have increased over the past ten years in Houston. Drivers and pedestrians are more likely to be injured or killed in an accident in Houston than in Los Angeles. Houston has topped the list for red-light running fatalities for the period of 2013 to 2017. The most dangerous intersections in all of Texas are located in Harris County. When it comes to road safety, Harris County and Houston get failing grades.
In a typical year, nearly 650 people die on Houston-area roads, and nearly 3,000 people are seriously injured. In an average week, twelve people die in an automobile collision in Houston. There are several factors that contribute to Houston’s dangerous roads:
- Long commutes.80% of drivers drive alone for almost 30 minutes each way. Most commuters are driving an hour round trip to work and back. The more time spent on the road, the greater chance of an accident.
- High-speed limits. The roads are designed for high speeds to move as many people as fast as possible. The speed limit is 75 mph in several areas. Higher speeds increase the risk of serious injury.
- Poor enforcement of laws. The number of traffic tickets over the past few years has dropped even though the population of Houston has increased. Without fear of speeding tickets, more people will break the law. Many drivers on the freeways exceed 75 mph.
- Political climate against automated enforcement. State lawmakers have restricted the use of speed cameras, red-light enforcement cameras, and sobriety checkpoints. Some drivers will take more risks at intersections if they do not fear a ticket for running a red light.
- Unsafe roads for bicyclists and pedestrians. Less than half of the roads have sidewalks. Houston has less than 300 miles of roads with on-street bike lanes. Many drivers do not look for bicyclists and do not appreciate having to share the road with them.
- Poor public transportation options. Cities like New York, San Francisco, and Chicago have excellent public transportation options, unlike Houston. These cities have trains that allow people to commute to the city without a car. This option reduces congestion on the highways and roads. Harris County fails in providing public transportation options to its citizens in comparison to most other counties with major cities.
Most Dangerous Intersections for Pedestrians
The five most dangerous intersections for pedestrians are listed below:
- South Voss and Westheimer
- Gessner and Westview
- Main St. and Pierce St.
- Wheeler and Main St.
- West Belfort and Fondren
These intersections are in highly populated areas. Some of them have multiple lanes of traffic heading in each direction. They are routinely busy during the day and night. All of these factors contribute to increasing the likelihood of a car hitting a pedestrian.
Car Accident Lawyer
Patrick O’Hara has experience representing pedestrians who have been seriously injured and even killed while crossing an intersection. If you were injured at an intersection while on foot, riding a bike, or in a motor vehicle, you might be eligible for compensation. If a driver injures someone else because he or she fails to use ordinary care, the law holds that driver responsible for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, impairment, disfigurement, and other damages.
If you have been injured in a car wreck, contact The O’Hara Law Firm for a free consultation. Patrick O’Hara is a car accident attorney that handles motor vehicle collision cases in Houston and other surrounding areas. The O’Hara Law Firm represents clients on a contingency fee basis. Call us at 832-956-1138.