Most Dangerous Intersections in Marietta

Whether you’re driving along Cobb Parkway or through Historic Marietta Square, you’re going to approach an intersection at some point. Most of Marietta’s cross streets are easy to navigate and nothing to worry about. But some roads can be quite dangerous for drivers, if you’re not careful.

The Champion Firm gathered data from local police reports, city data, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to identify Marietta’s most dangerous intersections.

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

• Austell Road at South Cobb Drive
• Bells Ferry Road and Chastain Road (or New Chastain Road)
• Cobb Parkway at Barrett Parkway
• Cobb Parkway and Windy Hill Road
• Roswell Road and Old Woodstock Road
• US-41 and Woodstock Road
• Veterans Memorial Highway and Floyd Road
• Intersections around Town Center Mall
• Cobb Place Boulevard and Barrett Parkway (this is technically in Kennesaw, but a busy thoroughfare for Marietta drivers)

According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there were 85 fatal traffic accidents in Cobb County in 2020 (the most recent year for this data). That’s up 16% from 2019. So what makes these intersections so dangerous?

Why Marietta’s Intersections are Dangerous

Generally speaking, many intersection accidents are caused by traffic congestion or poor signage. But the primary reason that a driver gets in an accident at an intersection is “recognition error.” This is when a driver is distracted by an internal factor (ex: phone, GPS) or an external factor (ex: something on the street) and they stop focusing 100% on the roadway in front of them.

There are other aspects of Marietta’s intersections that can make them dangerous for drivers. If an intersection comes together at an odd angle (not 90-degrees), it can be more difficult for drivers to navigate the turn or see other oncoming cars. Odd-angled intersections can also be confusing for drivers who are unfamiliar with the area.

Another reason is Marietta’s mix-and-match surface streets. In the city, there are a variety of higher-speed highways and normal, more residential streets. When a driver on a slower one- or two-lane road comes up to an intersection with a high-speed four-lane road, they may misjudge the speed of the oncoming traffic. And that can lead to an accident. The driver thinks they have time to turn or cross in front of oncoming traffic, when they don’t.

Have You Been in a Traffic Accident in Marietta? Contact Our Experienced Team of Personal Injury Attorneys

While many traffic accidents are what we call “fender benders,” car crashes at these dangerous intersections can lead to serious – even fatal – injuries. If you’ve been in a car accident and aren’t sure what steps to take next, reach out to our team of experienced Marietta car accident attorneys. We can advise you of your legal rights, coordinate your medical treatment, and help you deal with the insurance company. Call the Marietta injury lawyers at The Champion Firm at 404-596-8044 or reach us online for your free, no-risk consultation.