Although motor vehicle accidents occur every day in Palm Beach County, the area’s intersections are particularly hazardous, especially with contributing factors such as traffic volume, speed, weather, and visibility. Being aware of the most dangerous intersections in Palm Beach County can help protect you and your loved ones while traveling on the roads.
As you make your way around the county, be sure to exercise caution at the following intersections.
State Road 7 & Forest Hill Boulevard
Located between The Mall at Wellington Green and Wellington Regional Medical Center, this Wellington intersection is one of the busiest in Palm Beach County. Ambulance comings and goings mixed with heavy shopping traffic make for chaotic road conditions. Further, each road has at least four lanes of traffic on either side. The sheer size of the intersection adds confusion for drivers.
Okeechobee Boulevard & Military Trail
This West Palm Beach intersection serves a densely populated suburban area. With close proximity to Royal Palm Beach Community High School, foot traffic is higher than at other intersections which adds greater risk and may distract drivers. Large retail and dining complexes are scattered on all sides of the intersection, where drivers are more likely to make sudden stops and turns.
Atlantic Avenue & South Military Trail
Recent growth in Delray Beach has contributed to a greater number of accidents in the area, especially at this busy intersection which is situated in the center of numerous stores and the sprawl of residential neighborhoods.
Atlantic and Military are two of the largest roads in suburban Delray Beach, meaning locals and passersby make heavy use of the intersection and are at greater risk of getting into an accident.
Southern Boulevard & State Road 7
Rear-end collisions are common at this intersection thanks to traffic from large shopping complexes and busy rush hours. Southern Boulevard and State Road 7 are both large roads, which makes it difficult to cross the intersection without encountering a heavy flow of traffic. When drivers pass under Southern Boulevard, the overpass cuts off visibility of the intersection, potentially creating blind spots for drivers.
West Atlantic Avenue & North Congress Avenue
Located in Delray Beach, this intersection sits just off I-95, making it a hot spot for high-speed traffic. The combination of the interstate and local roads creates confusion among drivers, often leading to serious accidents on morning commutes and during high-traffic evenings.
Additionally, Atlantic intersects with Congress at a diagonal angle, reducing drivers’ visibility of oncoming vehicles, which increases the risk of a crash.
Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard & Village Boulevard/Spencer Drive
This heavily traveled West Palm Beach intersection is located near a popular shopping spot and the airport, so drivers are often rushing to their destinations. Several smaller roads join the two major ones, creating an overwhelming web of pathways in and out of the intersection. This confusion can lead to drivers misjudging traffic patterns and missing turns, resulting in a higher number of collisions.
North Congress Avenue & 45th Street
Nestled between I-95 and HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, this West Palm Beach intersection is congested with traffic from locals, visitors, and emergency vehicles. The wide roads make it difficult to quickly assess oncoming traffic, and the high speeds interfere with a driver’s ability to avoid a collision when they encounter a hazard.
In addition to these hazards, multiple retail complexes attract heavy foot traffic throughout the day, adding to the risk of an accident.
Glades Road & Airport Road
Boca Raton is the home of this high-traffic intersection located near Florida Atlantic University and Boca Raton High School. Both schools attract large numbers of students to the area every day in addition to the regular traffic from locals and visitors.
Glades Road also intersects with Airport Road at an acute angle, making it hard to see oncoming vehicles, even when traveling at low speeds. These factors can result in collisions happening without warning.
The bottom line
Rear-end accidents can happen at any intersection, but the ones mentioned above have been identified as high-risk locations due to their prevalence of traffic and potential for confusion. Remember to remain vigilant when driving in these areas and to always practice safe driving habits. By taking some simple precautions, you can reduce your risk of getting into an accident and sustaining injuries.
If you get into an accident in Palm Beach County, it’s important to seek legal counsel right away. A Florida car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and determine the best course of action for your case. Contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath today to schedule your free consultation and to learn more by calling (561) 655-1990.
