Most dangerous roundabouts in Michigan. See the list

A Michigan legislation agency that analyzed state crash knowledge says a roundabout in Sterling Heights that noticed a 20% improve in crashes yr over yr by way of 2024 is essentially the most harmful in Michigan.

Michigan Automobile Lawprimarily based in Farmington Hills, focuses on automotive accident instances and has compiled an inventory of the “most harmful roundabouts” primarily based on knowledge from Michigan State Police data.

“Let’s face it: Motorists both love or hate the site visitors circles which might be popping up all around the state. Whereas these round intersections are meant to enhance site visitors circulate and scale back the severity of accidents, some high-traffic or poorly designed areas have grow to be frequent areas for collisions involving passenger vehicles, bikes, pedestrians and cyclists. Understanding the place and why these accidents happen can assist motorists make safer choices, emphasize the necessity for higher highway design and assist injured victims in figuring out doable victims. authorized claims after an accident severe accident,” Michigan Auto Legislation mentioned on its web site.

The legislation agency mentioned the roundabout at 18½ Mile Street and Van Dyke Avenue in Sterling Heights had 162 crashes with 12 accidents in 2024 — up from 135 crashes the yr earlier than. In 2022 there have been a complete of 118 accidents, in comparison with 168 in 2021. In 2020 and 2019 there have been 131 and 229 accidents respectively.

The Sterling Heights location was the second most harmful intersection in 2023. In 2024, there have been 12 accidents, up from 9 in 2023. In 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there have been 10, 17, 8 and 14 accidents, respectively.

The second most harmful location in 2024, in Commerce Township, was the Martin Parkway on the North Pontiac Path, the place there have been 151 crashes and 9 accidents, in keeping with the info. On the Oakland County intersection, whole crashes decreased 17% in 2024, from 132 in 2023 to 109 in 2024. In 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there have been 64, 122, 89 and 178 whole crashes, respectively.

In 2024, the variety of accidents in accidents on the roundabout fell from 11 in 2023 to 9. In 2022 and 2021 there have been 13 and 18 accidents respectively. And in 2020 and 2019 there have been 4 and 12.

“Whereas roundabouts are sometimes promoted as safer alternate options to conventional intersections, analysis by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) exhibits that changing an intersection to a roundabout can considerably improve the general variety of crashes, although fatalities and damage crashes might lower,” in keeping with Michigan Auto Legislation.

“This report is a part of Michigan Auto Legislation’s ongoing public security marketing campaign to lift consciousness and assist drivers make safer choices on Michigan’s roadways,” mentioned Steve Gursten, president and lawyer at Michigan Auto Legislation. “By highlighting high-risk roundabouts, our attorneys wish to encourage motorists to take additional care, refresh their data of roundabout driving and think about various routes the place doable.”

Listed below are the opposite Michigan intersections on the checklist:

Southeast Michigan

• no. 3, Orchard Lake Street at 14 Mile Street within the hills of Farmington: 109 whole crashes, 5 accidents
• no. 4, State freeway at West Ellsworth Street in Ann Arbor: 85 whole crashes, 5 accidents
• no. 5, Lee Street and Whitmore Lake Street in Inexperienced Oak Township: 80 whole crashes, 3 accidents
• 6, Oakley Park Street and Martin Parkway in Commerce Township: 69 whole crashes, 6 accidents
• 7, Farmington Street and West Maple Street in West Bloomfield Township: 64 whole crashes, 7 accidents
• 9, Drake Street and West Maple Street in West Bloomfield Township: 48 whole crashes, 6 accidents

Western Michigan

• 8, Sprinkle Street at Cork Road, north of Interstate 94 at Kalamazoo (No. 8): 49 whole crashes, 15 accidents
• 10, Remembrance Street, Wilson Avenue in Walker (No. 10): 38 whole crashes, 7 accidents

What are the main causes of accidents in Michigan?

Operating purple lights, ignoring cease indicators, ignoring yield indicators, failing to yield, ignoring yield legal guidelines, improper left turns, dashing, distracted driving and poor driving are the main causes of intersection accidents, in keeping with Michigan Auto Legislation.

This is how one can navigate roundabouts safely:

The Michigan State Police lists six steps controlling a roundabout:

• Scale back your velocity as you method.
• Yield to oncoming site visitors.
• If it is clear, proceed.
• Go away the highway utilizing your flip indicators.
• Do not cease for anybody, not even emergency automobiles.
• Permit bigger automobiles, similar to tractor-trailers, to make use of each lanes.

Jalen Williams is a trending reporter on the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.