Most Dangerous Intersections in Canton

Written By: The Champion Firm Team

Date Posted: 09.22.22

Category: Car Accident

Whether you’re traveling on Highway-5 or driving through Historic Downtown Canton, Georgia, you’re bound to reach a busy intersection, eventually. While many of Canton’s surface streets are easy to navigate, there are a few crossroads that can be pretty dangerous for drivers who are unfamiliar with the area or not focused on the road.

At The Champion Firm, we looked at traffic data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, City of Woodstock data, and police reports to find the most dangerous intersections in the area.

Here’s a List of Canton’s Most Dangerous Intersections:

  • Bells Ferry Road and Butterworth Road
  • Marietta Highway and Univeter Road
  • State Road-5BU and the I-575 Ramp
  • State Road-20 and Cumming Parkway
  • State Road-140 and the I-575 Ramp
  • State Road-417 and the I-575 Ramp
  • Nearby: Knox Bridge Highway and Fincher Road in Sutallee
  • Nearby: Ball Ground Highway and East Cherokee Drive in Ball Ground

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 21 fatal crashes in Cherokee County in 2020 (the most recent year for this traffic data). That’s up 75% from 2019. What makes the intersections in Woodstock so dangerous?

Why Woodstock Intersections Can Be Dangerous

While traffic congestion and poor signage can be contributing factors, the number one cause of intersection crashes is “recognition error,” also known as distracted driving. According to the CDC, nine people die in the US every day because of a distracted driving-related accident. That’s about 3,200 people every year. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts the driver’s attention from the road (ex: texting, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, adjusting the radio or GPS). When you’re not 100% focused on the road ahead of you, a traffic accident is more likely to happen.

Drivers in the Woodstock area take a risk when they drive distracted; but the opposite is also true. Car accidents also happen if the driver is not focused on anything in particular. In suburban or semi-rural areas, there can be long stretches of road where there aren’t many stops, other vehicles, or buildings along the road. If a driver starts to “zone out” and lose focus, there’s a greater chance that an accident may happen.

The construction of Canton’s roadways can also contribute to intersection accidents. When an intersection is at an odd angle (not the usual 90-degree angle), it’s more difficult for drivers to navigate the turns and to see any oncoming traffic. If a driver is distracted or unfamiliar with the Woodstock area, these odd-angle intersections can be even more confusing.

You may have noticed that several of the intersections on the list are a match-up of regular surface streets and higher-speed state routes, highways, or interstates. When a slower roadway intersects with faster traffic, it can be difficult to judge how much time you have to turn or pass the traffic. If the driver misjudges that timing, it can lead to an accident.

Have You Been in a Woodstock Traffic Accident? Contact The Champion Firm

 If you or someone you love has been hurt in a Woodstock car accident, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. At The Champion Law Firm, our team of experienced Cherokee County personal injury attorneys can advise you of your legal rights, help coordinate your medical treatment, and communicate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. We want to make sure that you’re back on the road to recovery soon. If you would like like to set up a free consultation at our new Woodstock office, please call us at 404-596-8044 or reach us online for your free, no-risk consultation.

About the Author

The Champion Firm is a full-service personal injury law firm serving the greater Metro Atlanta area. Our award-winning team of attorneys specializes in car accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, and slip-and-fall cases. Learn more about our team here.