The average driver might pass through dozens of intersections on their way to the grocery store or as part of their daily commute to work. Intersections may seem more like a source of frustration than a danger. The need to slow down or stop even when there aren’t other vehicles present can increase how long it takes to reach a destination.
However, traffic signage and stop lights exist for a reason. Intersections are where a large percentage of serious motor vehicle collisions occur. When vehicles moving in different directions share the same space, small mistakes can lead to major wrecks. Drivers who fail to use their turn signals or monitor their surroundings can cause major property damage and injuries. Yet, one common decision that drivers make at intersections has a particularly strong association with elevated crash risk.
Turning left increases crash risk
A left turn typically requires that a driver expose themselves to every approaching lane of traffic at an intersection. All it takes is a momentary lapse in judgment or attention for another driver to cause a serious crash. According to federal collision statistics, over 60% of the wrecks that occur at intersections follow a left turn.
The association between turning left and crashes is so strong that some delivery companies actually plan driver routes to minimize or eliminate left turns. Municipal authorities sometimes try to address this risk by installing roundabouts at busy intersections as a way of eliminating left-hand turns and the crash risk associated with them.
Safety-conscious drivers can decrease their chances of major collisions by taking a different route that eliminates the need to turn left. Driving past a busy intersection and making multiple right turns instead of a left turn could help drivers reduce their risk of a wreck. Of course, even the safest driver could end up involved in a crash if they cross paths with the wrong person.
Holding negligent and unsafe drivers accountable after a crash can help people offset the expenses generated by collision. Insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits can help people potentially cover collision expenses when they are not at fault for their own harm.