What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Denham Springs, LA?

Navigating an intersection can be challenging due to drivers approaching from multiple directions and at different speeds. According to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, over 50% of all crashes occur at or near intersections. In Denham Springs, a suburb of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, there were 255 injury crashes and 2 fatal crashes in 2021, many of which happened at the town’s intersections.

Intersections may pose a danger to drivers due to disjointed traffic flow and multiple or confusing traffic signs. Read on to discover the most dangerous intersections in Denham Springs and how the Denham Springs car accident lawyers at Dudley DeBosier can help if you suffer injuries in an intersection accident.

1. U.S. Interstate 12 (I-12) and South Range Avenue

Interstate 12 stretches east to west from Baton Rouge to an interchange in Slidell. It also serves as an alternative route to bypass heavy traffic on Interstate 10, the deadliest road in Louisiana, which saw 121 fatal crashes in 2019. Interstate 10 passes southward through the outer city limits of New Orleans, but I-12 takes a direct route between Baton Rouge and Slidell.

Because Interstate 12 is an optional route to Slidell, it does see its share of traffic accidents. South Range Avenue and Interstate 12 can present a danger as cars and trucks merge onto the exit and entrance ramps of the interstate. This intersection is also near several shops, auto dealerships, restaurants, and bars in Denham Springs.

In 2019, there were 25 fatal crashes, with 8 involving an alcoholic driver, alongside this interstate road.

2. U.S. Route 190 and South River Road

Interstate 12 runs parallel to U.S. Route 190, which cuts through Denham Springs from the west to the north. Route 190 intersects with local streets and roads. Major businesses and homes also dot this federal route, with traffic moving in each direction.

This route is considered one of the most dangerous highways in Louisiana, seeing 48 fatal crashes in 2019. Multiple accidents happened in Denham Springs between 2005 to 2019 on Route 190, especially at the intersection with South River Road, resulting in one fatality in 2019. Drivers may have difficulty navigating this intersection safely because it is a four-way intersection with lanes going in different directions.

3. Cockerham Road (LA Highway 1030) and North Range Avenue (Special Route 16)

The intersection at Cockerham Road and North Range Avenue has seen 1 fatal accident between 2016 and 2019 due to its design as a T-intersection. When approaching, drivers must slow down, obey the traffic light, and watch out for other cars, even if they have the right of way. This type of intersection can result in a crash if drivers ignore traffic lights and don’t monitor oncoming traffic when making a turn.

Why Intersections Can Be Dangerous for Drivers

The increased traffic signals, multiple lanes, and large amounts of traffic presented to the drivers at intersections can make these road locations dangerous. In a report released by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), drivers often lose their navigational ability to maneuver out of an intersection when overwhelmed by information.

Instead, they focus on controlling their own car so they don’t collide with other vehicles. However, an unexpected event, such as an obstructed traffic light, an unfamiliar lane, or an unreadable sign, can increase the risk of a collision.

The FHWA also stated that driver error caused 90% of all traffic accidents throughout the country. At signalized intersections, the errors drivers can make often include:

• Not detecting traffic signs or signals at an intersection
• Incorrect interpretation of traffic signs and signals
• Not knowing which lane to merge into
• Inability to determine whether to continue or stop at a yellow traffic light
• Not stopping in time for a smooth brake
• Following too closely while making a left turn

Speak to a Car Crash Attorney in Denham Springs

If you are hurt in a car accident at an intersection, reach out to the car accident attorneys at Dudley DeBosier. We can evaluate the facts of your accident and help you decide your legal options, including the possibility of filing a claim against the at-fault driver.

Call us today to schedule your free initial consultation with one of our lawyers, and let us help you get your life back on track.

This content has been reviewed by Chad Lederman, Director of Legal Operations at our New Orleans office.

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