What are the most dangerous intersections in Palm Beach County? County statistics show that the intersection of Military Trail and Forest Hill Boulevard in Palm Springs holds the dubious honor of having the most crashes of any intersection in Palm Beach County. The top 20 crash-prone intersections of 2022, according to Palm Beach County’s Traffic Engineering and Public Works department are:
- Military Trail and Forest Hill Boulevard, Palm Springs
- Military Trail and PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens
- Military Trail and Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach
- (tie) Atlantic and Congress avenues and Atlantic Avenue and Interstate 95, both in Delray Beach
- Military Trail and Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach
- Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Robbins Drive, West Palm Beach
- Military Trail and Northlake Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens
- (tie). State Road 7 and Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, and Congress Avenue and 45th Street, West Palm Beach
- Military Trail and Linton Boulevard, Delray Beach
- Palm Beach Lakes and Village boulevards, West Palm Beach
- (tie). Linton Boulevard and Congress Avenue, Delray Beach, and 10th Avenue North and Congress Avenue, Palm Springs
- Military Trail and 45thStreet, West Palm Beach
- Military Trail and Lantana Road, west of Lake Worth Beach
- Boynton Beach Boulevard and Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach
- State Road 7 and Southern Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach
- Military Trail and 10thAvenue North, Greenacres
- Indiantown Road and Central Boulevard, Jupiter
In our practice, we see many intersectional accidents. A car turning left in front of oncoming traffic is a common scenario. A particularly dangerous situation occurs when a vehicle speeds up to “make the light.” When a crash occurs, the increased speed can result in a major collision.
Florida law requires a driver to slow down when approaching and crossing an intersection, as intersections are considered a “special hazard.” Section 316.185, Florida Statutes, states as follows: “The fact that the speed of a vehicle is lower than the prescribed limits shall not relieve the driver from the duty to decrease speed when approaching and crossing an intersection, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, or when special hazards exist or may exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or other roadway conditions,…”
Many people are unaware of the requirement to slow down at intersections. The large number of intersectional accidents confirms the wisdom of the law labeling intersections a “special hazard.” An accident reconstruction expert once told me that he always waits one second after his light turns green before proceeding, as so many of his cases could have been prevented by that delay. Palm Beach County employs a one second “all red” at intersections; he was referring to one additional second thereafter – once the light turns green. This advice is sound and is worth following. Slowing down at intersections is not just good advice, though; in Florida, it’s the law.
Please be mindful that all intersections require diligence. Stay safe, but know we are always here to help if you or a loved one are injured by the negligence of another.
This blog was written by Partner Mickey Smith.
