Accidents happen everywhere, but if you live in Central Massachusetts, some roads and intersections are far more dangerous than others. Some areas simply have too much congestion, like the North Main Street area in Leominster, and along busy corridors like John Fitch Highway, which is particularly hazardous in the late afternoons, according to Fitchburg police captain Steven Giannini. Other areas have issues with stop and go traffic and an increased number of accidents caused by distracted driving; there are daily read end collisions along North Main that can be attributed to distracted driving, officials say.
Results of the Transportation Report
Every four years, the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission completes a transportation plan for the region. By analyzing data collected by the Department of Transportation and the Division of Motor Vehicles, the commission reviews the areas and intersections with the highest crash rates and comes up with solutions designed to reverse their troubling statistics. This weighted study covered accidents that only caused property damage, those that caused injury and those that resulted in one or more fatalities to come up with a comprehensive score for each zone of the infrastructure.
Most Dangerous Driving Areas in Central Massachusetts
In the most recent study, which looks at data collected from 2010-2012, three areas come out on top – of a list you wouldn’t want to win:
- Leominster had about 60% of the most accident prone areas, including exits 30 and 31 and the dangerous intersections along North Main, which had not only the greatest number of crashes, but the highest injury toll as well in the years studied.
- Route 110, along Ayer Road was second only to Leominster in accidents and injuries
- Pearson Boulevard and Elm Street in Gardner was particularly dangerous and also made the list of the top 5 most dangerous corridors in the area
How are we making the roads safer?
Projects are already underway at Exit 31 in Leominster, with a goal of improving safety and reconstructing the roadway to eliminate some of the hazards and improve traffic flow. By identifying not only the most troublesome areas, but the reasons for the accidents that occur there, the commission hopes to promote better solutions and to plan projects that improve the safety of commuters traveling through these areas.
We support the efforts of the planning commission and hope to see continued improvement in some of Massachusetts’ most dangerous highways and intersections. While these efforts are ongoing the identified areas continue to pose a hazard to drivers.
If you have been injured in an accident on one of these dangerous corridors or anywhere in the area, we can help. We are committed to protecting your rights and getting you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us for a complimentary consultation with a car accident attorney to discuss the details of your case and to learn more about your options.
